Quinn, Norman J, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ARTISANAL FISHERY IN THE GULF OF OMAN An American consultancy in the early 1970's advised the governement of the Sultanate of Oman "to ig- nore the traditional small scale fishery and to replace it with modern, high technology fishing and fish marketing.” The traditional boats were dismissed on the ground they were “unsuitable for motorization.” The advice was ignored. In 1991, the fishermen have completely locally owned fishery that meets the national fish requirements and exports to neighbouring countries. Immigration laws restrict the use of foreign workers, insuring fishermen full employment and a reasonable income. The typical daily (3-5 hours work} earnings per two men - with a locally made 8m fibreglass boat powered by 25-70 hp out- boards - range 15 to 80 RO (RO=US$2.58) with a median near RO 35. Cheap petrot and dismissing of loan repayments by the Sultan subsidizes this industry.