Yellowfin tuna from the archive – This photo, from the archives was taken in 1998 in Muscat- Sultanate of Oman. The local fisherman take advantage of the tuna run and provide the local market with fresh tuna. These fish are caught from small boats on hand lines with live sardines. Studies show that the medium-sized tuna move from the western Indian Ocean into Omani waters from January through June. Schools of sardines and anchovies appear about the same time. This food source for large numbers of yellowfin tuna may be a result of the upwelling caused by the southwest monsoon season.
The fish that are most commonly targeted in the waters off Muscat are Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Dorado, Grouper and Kingfish and we took some of these as well. Fresh fish was a great addition to living in the Sultanate. These fish are great as a sport fish and for the table. The meat flesh is light and great for grilling, salad and exceptional for sashimi or sushi. Fresh caught and consumed as sashimi on the same day is better than any raw fish I have ever tried. We always kept soy and wasabi powder on the boat and sometimes sliced up one of the smaller fish moments after being caught.
We also took advantage of the availability of the fish and targeted the larger yellowfin tuna with lures and rigged fresh ballyhoo on rod and reel.
The IGFA has a good description of the fish from a sportfishing perspective at this link
