Thalassorama - Socio-Economic Structure and Performance of Traditional Fishermen in the Sultanate of Oman

Understanding the basic structure of fishing communities is vital information for a country's economic policy formation. Basic information such as income, educational level, and age of fishing participants can be useful in determining socio-economic changes between different geographical locations and fishing communities. Market supply and demand information is essential for the promotion of fishing industry improvement programs, as well as for food subsidy policies. Social and economic data for traditional fishermen in Oman is very limited in scope. Available information indicates that Omani traditional fishermen may contribute as much as 80% of the country's total catch. Worldwide, this figure is only about 25%. There are currently a number of challenges facing the Omani fishing sector, such as fish quality improvement for markets and to what extent traditional fishermen are participating in government-sponsored programs. The findings of this study have practical policy implications. For example, preliminary data indicates that traditional fishermen are aging, many have very limited educational levels, there are minimal alternative employment opportunities, and there is a need to utilize more modern equipment.Traditional fishermen, fiberglass vessel, socio-economics., Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q22,

Toward understanding Malaysian fishermen's decision making on the use of fishing technology: a mental model approach

The vast majority of Malaysia's fishermen are located in rural areas, specifically in the Western and Eastern coastal regions of Peninsular Malaysia and the Sabah and Sarawak central zones. In these areas, the fishing industry is relied upon as a major economic contributor to the region's residents. Despite the widespread application of various modern technologies into the fishing industry (i.e., GPS, sonar, echo sounder, remote sensing), and the Malaysian government's efforts to encourage their adoption, many small‐scale fishermen in the country's rural areas continue to rely on traditional fishing methods. This refusal to embrace new technologies has resulted in significant losses in fish yields and needed income, and has raised many questions regarding the inputs to decision making of the fishermen. Drawing on multiple literatures, in this article we argue for the use of a mental model approach to gain an in‐depth understanding of rural Malaysian fishermen's choices of technology adoption according to four main constructs—prior experience, knowledge, expertise and beliefs or values. To provide needed inputs to agricultural specialists and related policy makers for the development of relevant plans of action, this article aims to provide a way forward for others to understand dispositional barriers to technology adoption among fishermen who use traditional methods in non‐Western contexts

Unique arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities uncovered in date palm plantations and surrounding desert habitats of Southern Arabia

The main objective of this study was to shed light on the previously unknown arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities in Southern Arabia. We explored AMF communities in two date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations and the natural vegetation of their surrounding arid habitats. The plantations were managed traditionally in an oasis and according to conventional guidelines at an experimental station. Based on spore morphotyping, the AMF communities under the date palms appeared to be quite diverse at both plantations and more similar to each other than to the communities under the ruderal plant, Polygala erioptera, growing at the experimental station on the dry strip between the palm trees, and to the communities uncovered under the native vegetation (Zygophyllum hamiense, Salvadora persica, Prosopis cineraria, inter-plant area) of adjacent undisturbed arid habitat. AMF spore abundance and species richness were higher under date palms than under the ruderal and native plants. Sampling in a remote sand dune area under Heliotropium kotschyi yielded only two AMF morphospecies and only after trap culturing. Overall, 25 AMF morphospecies were detected encompassing all study habitats. Eighteen belonged to the genus Glomus including four undescribed species. Glomus sinuosum, a species typically found in undisturbed habitats, was the most frequently occurring morphospecies under the date palms. Using molecular tools, it was also found as a phylogenetic taxon associated with date palm roots. These roots were associated with nine phylogenetic taxa, among them eight from Glomus group A, but the majority could not be assigned to known morphospecies or to environmental sequences in public databases. Some phylogenetic taxa seemed to be site specific. Despite the use of group-specific primers and efficient trapping systems with a bait plant consortium, surprisingly, two of the globally most frequently found species, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae, were not detected neither as phylogenetic taxa in the date palm roots nor as spores under the date palms, the intermediate ruderal plant, or the surrounding natural vegetation. The results highlight the uniqueness of AMF communities inhabiting these diverse habitats exposed to the harsh climatic conditions of Southern Arabia

A comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands within the European Union (1990-2040)

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the fluctuations in CH4 emissions from wetlands across the European Union (EU) over a specific timeframe from (1990-2020) and a projected period from (2020-2040). The study employs statistical techniques such as Mann-Kendall Analysis, Sen's Slope estimation, Tukey Test comparisons, and Principal Component Analysis to evaluate trends, magnitudes, and patterns of CH4 emissions, along with constructed bibliometric network using VOSviewer tool.MSc/MAAgriculutral water management engineeringK

Oman Traditional Date Palms: Production and Improvement of Date Palms in Oman

Date production in the world is confined to a small number of countries, most of them being Arab. However, date industry in the Arab world is not yet fully developed and concerted efforts are still needed to fully utilize the tremendous date tree potential as a commodity that can be consumed in the local market or processed for export. Date palm cultivation is one of the most important agricultural activities in Oman. It occupies more than 82% of total fruit crop area and about 42% of total agricultural land. Not only is domestic demand met, but a surplus for export is also generated.Tremendous development has occurred in the production and distribution of dates during the last two decades. However, the contribution of dates to total agriculture exports was found to be low. This paper presents date palm crop in terms of its traditional practice and economic development in Oman. Results show that the quality of dates produced has not yet met approved standards and, therefore, the return to producers is not maximized

Hydrodynamic Cavitation and Advanced Oxidation for Enhanced Degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Review

Water pollution has become a major environmental menace due to municipal and industrial effluents discharged into water bodies. Several processes have been devised for the treatment and disposal of wastewater and sludge. Yet, most of the conventional technologies do not meet the requirements of sustainability as they impose a higher load on the environment in terms of resource depletion and toxic waste generation. Recently, sustainable innovative technologies, like hydrodynamic cavitation (HC), have emerged as energy-efficient methods, which can enhance the conventional wastewater treatment processes. HC is a very effective technique for the intensification of processes, like aeration, activated sludge treatment, and anaerobic digestion processes in conventional wastewater treatment plants, particularly for the enhanced degradation of persistent pollutants. On the other hand, advanced oxidation is a proven enhancement method for wastewater treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recently published literature on the application of HC for the treatment of persistent organic pollutants. The potential synergistic impact of HC coupled with advanced oxidation and alternative pre-treatment methods was also reviewed in this study. Moreover, an overview of the present state of model-based research work for HC reactors and a feasibility analysis of various advanced oxidation process is also covered. Options for the pilot-to-large scale implementation of HC and advanced oxidation technologies to ensure the better sustainability of wastewater treatment plants are recommended