Are Small-scale Fishers in Oman Technically Efficient? The Case of Al-Batinah Coastal Fisheries

This paper examines technical efficiency and the potential factors affecting it in small-scale harvesting operations involving five key commercial demersal species of Al Batinah coastal fisheries, Oman. A stochastic production frontier (SPF) approach was applied to a pooled data covering the period 2010-2016. There is strong evidence of a considerable extent of technical inefficiency and overutilization of fishing effort (fishing hours). The results from the technical inefficiency model suggested that geographical location and interannual fluctuation of stock were significantly affecting fishers’ efficiency. Finally, the empirical results are discussed along with policy implications and the suitability of the Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) approach to technical efficiency analysis in small-scale fisheries.