Oman Extends Sea Cucumber Fishing Ban to Protect Marine Biodiversity

Oman has extended its sea cucumber fishing ban until 2030 to protect the overexploited Holothurian scabra species and allow stocks to recover. The ban, announced by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources Saud bin Hamoud Habisi, also prohibits the buying, selling, transporting, storing, and exporting of sea cucumbers as part of a broader effort to restore marine biodiversity. Research by Sultan Qaboos University revealed a drastic decline in sea cucumber populations, with densities dropping to fewer than one per hectare and smaller specimens found near populated areas—clear signs of overfishing. Oman’s latest move marks the fifth extension of restrictions since 2018, when the government began implementing tighter controls following years of unsustainable harvesting. Globally, sea cucumber populations face similar threats. In the Seychelles, numbers have dropped 30 percent since 2004, with some species nearing collapse. While international efforts to list sea cucumbers under CITES Appendix II have met resistance from major trading nations, Oman’s decisive action demonstrates strong leadership in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.