Oman launches lantern-fish development pilot
Fisheries Development Oman (FDO), the government's investment arm for the fisheries sector and a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), has launched a key initiative to tap into the Sultanate's vast stocks of lantern-fish – a sustainable and largely unexploited marine resource with significant commercial potential across a range of industries.
Lantern-fish, known locally as Al Fanar, are known not only for their suitability in fishmeal and fish oil production, but also for their applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements. This first-of-its-kind project marks Oman's formal entry into lantern-fish development and harvesting.
FDO – which manages a diverse portfolio of businesses spanning shrimp farming, aquaculture, pelagic fishing, fisheries vessel operations, large-scale fish processing, and port management – is now extending its scope to include the commercial exploration of lantern-fish. In this regard, it has signed a strategic partnership with an international entity to carry out experimental fishing operations targeting lantern-fish.
According to OIA's recently released 2024 Annual Report, this collaboration aims to "enable Oman to optimally utilize this vital biological resource," laying the groundwork for sustainable exploitation that aligns with the country's long-term food security and economic diversification goals.
The initiative builds on extensive research and survey work undertaken over the years by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Sultan Qaboos University, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The most recent of these surveys was launched by the Ministry in October 2023—a multiphase study to assess lantern-fish stock volumes in the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Findings from earlier studies have already revealed significant lantern-fish biomass. One such survey conducted between 1985 and 1991 estimated the biomass at 4.5 million tonnes annually in the Sea of Oman alone—underscoring the resource's vast potential if harvested sustainably.
The skinnycheek lantern-fish (Benthosema pterotum), a member of the Myctophidae family, is the species under focus. These fish typically inhabit offshore waters near the continental shelf, particularly in areas deeper than 100 metres. During the day, they gather in two distinct vertical layers, with dense schools found between 80–130 metres. At night, they migrate to shallower depths of 30–70 metres, forming a more dispersed layer closer to the surface.
Supporting this initiative are a number of national programmes and entities, including the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, the National Investment and Export Development Programme, and the National Employment Programme. These stakeholders are helping to assess how lantern-fish development can contribute to economic growth, job creation, and food security.
Potential downstream opportunities include the extraction of bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, the production of fish oil and nutritional supplements, and manufacturing of sustainable fishmeal to support Oman's growing aquaculture and animal feed sectors.
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