22-04-2025
Oman Halts Shark Trade Permits Amid Extinction Concerns
Oman's Environment Authority (EA) has announced a three-month suspension on the issuance of permits for the export, import, and re-export of all types of sharks and their derivatives, starting April 24.
The temporary halt is part of an environmental initiative aimed at assessing shark population in Omani waters and addressing concerns over their decline.
A senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources said the measure is vital to prevent further depletion, citing the growing demand for shark fins as a major contributor to declining numbers.
'Such measures are very important, as there will be nothing left underwater,' he added, without elaborating.
Although Oman ranks only 17th globally in shark fin exports, it remains a key player in the international trade — a network that has pushed several shark species toward extinction. Government data shows Oman exports over $3 million worth of shark fins annually.
Oman's marine ecosystem is home to a wide range of shark species, including the Great Hammerhead, Bull Shark, Blacktip Shark, Milk Shark, Big-Eyed Houndshark, Bramble Shark, and Spot Tail Shark.
In 2008, Oman became a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which mandates the protection of vulnerable species such as the whale shark and great hammerhead.
