Oyster Farming in Dungonab Bay: A Community-Based Initiative
This activity, organized by SUDIA, aimed to test sustainable oyster farming practices in Dungonab Bay while also carrying out community-based conservation efforts and raising awareness among university students from the Faculty of Marine Science at Red Sea University. The initiative took place in the village of Dungonab, within the Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island Marine National Park.
Preparations - The first phase began with the collection of oyster spat from offshore areas near Dungonab village. We collaborated with the Wildlife Conservation General Administration (WCGA) to obtain official permission for our initiative. With their support, we received a formal letter of no objection, allowing us to proceed.
We borrowed unused spat collectors from the now-closed Oyster Pearl Oyster Company located nearby. Alamin, our oyster farming specialist from the Fisheries Research Department, then worked with some villagers to assemble and prepare the spat collectors, which were subsequently placed in the sea near the shore of Dungonab village.
Spat Collector Deployment - We deployed a single line of 80 spat collectors, each 200 meters long, in a location with free passage of current near Umm Al Shiekh Island. A site visit on February 26, 2022, revealed that several oysters had begun growing on the collectors and had reached the required size for transfer.
Oyster Retrieval and Transfer - On July 28, 2022, we retrieved the single line of spat collectors from the sea. The oysters were cleaned and placed in containers with seawater, ready for transfer. Locally produced frames, known as ‘sawani,’ were constructed using materials such as nylon rope, coated wire, and steel rods. A local welder and laborers were hired and trained to assemble these frames.
Final Placement - Approximately 200 oyster shells, each measuring an average of 12 cm, were retrieved, cleaned, and placed in two locally produced cages. These cages were then placed back in the sea at a depth of approximately 3 meters, a few miles offshore from Dungonab village.
Conclusion
Our community-based oyster farming project in Dungonab Bay is progressing well, thanks to the support of local authorities, specialists, and the community. We are excited about the future of this sustainable venture and look forward to sharing more updates with you.
Stay tuned for more news and developments!