The population dynamics, pathology and treatmentof parasites on commercially important dermasal fishes in Oman.

The Sultanate of Oman has 3000 km of coast line and numerous natural fishery resources which represent a promising valuable, renewable source of revenue and, as such, makes the Sultanate of Oman one of the most important countries in the Middle East. The commercially important species of marine fish that are landed at Omani ports, the Omani aquaculture industry looks set to continue to grow and to look at a number of potential native species suitable for aquaculture. The presence of parasites in natural waters and cultured farms may cause reductions in growth rate or in reproductive performance or result in mass mortalities thereby imposing serious threats to the emerging Omani aquaculture industry or result in the catastrophic destruction of wild populations. It is proposed, therefore, that the project will evaluate the impact of ectoparasites such as monogeneans and copepods on gills and skin and endoparasites inside of body on commercially important Omani species and additionally of those species that are under consideration for aquaculture in the future and assist the government in formulating strategies to minimize their impacts on host populations, on the livelihoods of those dependent upon these species of fish and on the Oman fisheries industry.