Prince William sips cup of citrus juice with fishermen on Omani beach

The Duke of Cambridge spent his final day in Oman today enjoying a drink of cooling lime juice as he chatted with local fishermen in a large tent.

Prince William joined the group on a beach next to the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha near Muscat to hear how they fish, the challenges to achieving sustainability and what is being done to conserve Oman’s marine environment.

The 37-year-old royal looked at ease on the last day of his four-day tour of Kuwait and Oman as he sat down cross-legged wearing only his socks on his feet after being invited to respectfully take off his shoes. 

William chatted to the fishermen alongside traditional fishing skiffs in the 80F (27C) heat this morning, after walking to a pebbled beach where a group were mending their nets, holding the nets in their toes.

Speaking through an interpreter, William asked them about their work and even got to try helping them. When he was complemented on his handiwork, he replied: ‘You are kind, I need to come and learn off you a bit more.’

Prince William enjoys a drink with Omani fishermen on a beach next to the Marina Bandar al Rowdha near Muscat today

The Duke of Cambridge joins a group of fishermen in Oman today to hear how they fish and the challenges to sustainability

The Duke of Cambridge joins a group of fishermen in Oman today to hear how they fish and the challenges to sustainability

The Duke of Cambridge speaks during his visit to meet with Omani fishermen at the Marina Bandar al Rowdha in Muscat today

The Duke of Cambridge speaks during his visit to meet with Omani fishermen at the Marina Bandar al Rowdha in Muscat today

William walked to a beach today where a group of Omani fisherman were mending their nets, holding the nets in their toes

William walked to a beach today where a group of Omani fisherman were mending their nets, holding the nets in their toes 

William was invited to respectfully take off his shoes and sit in a tent to have a glass of cooling lime juice in Oman today

William was invited to respectfully take off his shoes and sit in a tent to have a glass of cooling lime juice in Oman today

The Duke meets Omani fishermen at the Marina Bandar al Rowdha in Muscat today as they talk about sustainability

The Duke meets Omani fishermen at the Marina Bandar al Rowdha in Muscat today as they talk about sustainability

He also chatted with them about the fish they most caught – a grouper – and asked what the biggest one they had ever caught was. William exclaimed: ‘Twenty kilos – that’s a big fish!’

The Duke met the men on a stretch of shore overlooked by an Omani government centre where the duke donned a white lab coat and blue surgical-style gloves to join scientist testing the DNA of marine animals. 

He had earlier been given a tour of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Marine Science Centre, where scientists are working with the UK government’s marine science agency, Cefas.

They want to share expertise and build capacity for sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management, as Oman tries to diversify its economy by developing its marine farming – creating farms for shrimps and certain fish.

Speaking through an interpreter today, the Duke asked them about their work and even got to try his hand at helping them

Speaking through an interpreter today, the Duke asked them about their work and even got to try his hand at helping them

William chatted with the fisherman today about the fish they most caught - a grouper - and asked about their biggest catch

William chatted with the fisherman today about the fish they most caught – a grouper – and asked about their biggest catch

When he was complemented on his handiwork, William replied: 'You are kind, I need to come and learn off you a bit more'

When he was complemented on his handiwork, William replied: ‘You are kind, I need to come and learn off you a bit more’

William smiles and shakes hands with a fisherman during his visit to the beach next to the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha today

William smiles and shakes hands with a fisherman during his visit to the beach next to the Marina Bandar Al Rowdha today

The Duke of Cambridge speaks with with Omani fishermen at the Marina Bandar al Rowdha in Muscat today

The Duke of Cambridge speaks with with Omani fishermen at the Marina Bandar al Rowdha in Muscat today

Wearing a laboratory coat and gloves, the Duke walked into a laboratory where staff were analysing shellfish DNA to determine if it had any diseases.

Dr Will Le Quesne, from Cefas – the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science – told the Duke that ‘shrimp and fish cannot tell you when they’re unwell and this is a way of looking for disease.’

William used a pipette to put a sample of DNA into a machine which tested its purity. In another lab he chatted to scientists studying the algae bloom that appears twice a year for around three months in the waters around Oman.

He peered through a microscope at a sample of algae, and when he asked why it was not moving he laughed when told it had been preserved.

Later, the duke will have an audience with Qaboos bin Said al Said, the Sultan of Oman, at Bait Al Barakah Palace – as well as attending an investiture at the residence of the British Ambassador to Oman, Hamish Cowell.

William chatted to the fishermen alongside traditional fishing skiffs in the 80F (27C) heat in Muscat this morning

William chatted to the fishermen alongside traditional fishing skiffs in the 80F (27C) heat in Muscat this morning

The 37-year-old royal looked at ease on the last day of his four-day tour of Kuwait and Oman as he drank lime juice today

The 37-year-old royal looked at ease on the last day of his four-day tour of Kuwait and Oman as he drank lime juice today

The Duke spoke to the group of fishermen in Oman today who were mending their nets, holding the nets in their toes

The Duke spoke to the group of fishermen in Oman today who were mending their nets, holding the nets in their toes

William laughs as he meets the fishermen in Oman. Remarking on their biggest catch, he said: ‘Twenty kilos - that’s a big fish!’

William laughs as he meets the fishermen in Oman. Remarking on their biggest catch, he said: ‘Twenty kilos – that’s a big fish!’

Later in the day William – whose wife Kate and three children George, Charlotte and Louis are back home in England – flew by helicopter out to the Wadi Al Arbeen, in the mountains outside of Muscat.

A wadi is a valley created in the rock by either an existing river or one caused by flash floods.

Arriving in the village of Suwaih, the prince was met by drummers and children in traditional dress, before taking off his shoes and sitting down, cross-legged, on rugs in the village square to chat with male elders.

He then walked through the dust down to the river – surrounded by towering red-hued mountains, where he met a team of young men working with the charity Outward Bound Oman.

The young men had spent several days in the valley tackling challenges including problem solving, time management, team work and leadership, involving bridge building and a trek through the mountains.

Modestly apologising for not speaking Arabic, William asked the group how they were benefitting from being involved with the charity.

Also today William joined young Omanis taking part in an Outward Bound Oman training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen

Also today William joined young Omanis taking part in an Outward Bound Oman training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen

Prince William laughs during an Outward Bound Oman training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen today

William laughs during the Outward Bound exercise

Prince William laughs during an Outward Bound Oman training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen today

At the wadi, William joined young people, instructors and members of the community as they took part in activities today

At the wadi, William joined young people, instructors and members of the community as they took part in activities today

Prince William is shown a book during an Outward Bound Oman training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen today

Prince William is shown a book during an Outward Bound Oman training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen today

The Duke of Cambridge during an event with Outward Bound Oman at the Wadi al Arbaeen near Muscat in Oman today

The Duke of Cambridge during an event with Outward Bound Oman at the Wadi al Arbaeen near Muscat in Oman today

He said: ‘It’s great you are so involved in your futures here. As a generation, what are the biggest challenges for you?’

Some of the 20-somethings gathered told him in the ever changing job market in Oman they faced challenges of employability and being different from others which is why Outward Bound was giving them the skills to stand out.

The Duke added: ‘That’s great that you have this opportunity. It’s a great organisation and with the mentoring scheme as well, it’s really important.’

William and the group of 15 young men then came together to perform a team building exercise, making a bridge with wooden poles over a pretend river bed.

William listened intently before crouching down to build the foundations of the bridge as one by one the young men assembled the structure.

The Duke was then invited to put in place the last part of the bridge in the middle but received a bout of raucous cheering when he appeared to step too close to the middle and into the ‘river’, prompting a scene of good natured laughter with William in stitches. 

William had travelled to the remote and picturesque area to experience rural life and began by meeting elders in the nearby village of Suwaih, who invited him to take off his shoes and join him on a carpet covered open-air meeting space.

The Duke of Cambridge arrives for his visit to the Marine Science Centre in Muscat today as part of his tour of Oman

The Duke of Cambridge arrives for his visit to the Marine Science Centre in Muscat today as part of his tour of Oman

William also makes a visit to the government fisheries department in Muscat today to learn more about sustainability

The Duke of Cambridge arrives for his visit to the Marine Science Centre in Muscat today

William also makes a visit to the government fisheries department in Muscat today to learn more about sustainability

Earlier today, the Duke of Cambridge visited the Marine Science Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Muscat

Earlier today, the Duke of Cambridge visited the Marine Science Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Muscat

The department is working with the UK Government's marine science agency Cefas to share expertise on sustainable fishing

The department is working with the UK Government’s marine science agency Cefas to share expertise on sustainable fishing

During the visit to the centre today, William met Omani scientists collaborating with Cefas, and took part in laboratory work

During the visit to the centre today, William met Omani scientists collaborating with Cefas, and took part in laboratory work

William learns more at the centre today about how the UK is supporting Oman fisheries to become more sustainable

William learns more at the centre today about how the UK is supporting Oman fisheries to become more sustainable

Outward Bound Oman instructor Abdul Rahman, transplanted the Arabic of the elderly men for the duke, and said afterwards: “The duke wanted to know what life was like years ago compared to now and one of the elders told him they travelled by donkey.

“Roads were only built in this area in the 1980s and electricity didn’t arrive until the 2000s.”

Mark Evans, the director of Outward Bound Oman, explained how in 2014 Prince Charles brought a letter to the Sultan of Oman from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, to explain how he thought the the Outward Bound scheme would benefit the youth of his country.

As a result, the Sultan backed the initiative and it now runs three centres across Oman and has helped 15,000 young people.

The team William met were all young men aged between 15 and 19 – the sexes are segregated due to cultural sensitivities – and were about to go into apprenticeships.

Their four-day course in the Wadi was designed to help develop their confidence and leadership skills, he explained.

‘Some 45 per cent of Omanis are aged 16-30 and there are employment issues in Oman. Outward Bound Oman is all about creating employability,’ he said.

‘Outward Bound has its origins at Gourdonstoun School where the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales were educated, which is why the Royal Family has always had such a keen interest in it work,’ Mr Evans added. 

HOW OMAN’S BECOMING A BIG PLAYER IN THE GULF 

Oman is a Gulf sultanate with an ancient history but a modern vision to turn itself into a powerhouse in the region.

In the past,its reputation was as a destination for tourists seeking idyllic beaches and round the clock sun but preferring a less frenetic lifestyle than it’s glitzy neighbours,Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Now the emphasis is on establishing the Sultanate as a trading hub.

Located on the main east-west shipping lane and situated away from the Straits of Hormuz, Oman is within two weeks voyage of all major global ports providing access to 68 countries and 5 billion people.

It means it can attract seaborne trade and make it a cruise destination for European and US travellers who can disembark from Muscat’s historic Port Sultan Qaboos straight into the city’s old town.

Mr Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi is Group Executive Officer for ASYAD a new state-owned company set up in Oman to co-ordinate the push to attract logistics businesses.

‘Vessels calling at Oman’s ports save an average $250,000 compared with stopping in the UAE. The Sultanate is also unique in the Middle East in that it has positive, neutral relations with all countries – allowing unrestricted trade with the entire region and its estimated 450 million residents’he said..

‘Our integrated operations include three deep-water ports, three cruise-ship terminals and three tax-free manufacturing zones, all connected to a new network of five airports, a recently completed $8 billion integrated road network, and a global shipping line currently expanding from 50 to 71 vessels.

‘Businesses setting up shop benefit from Free Trade Agreements with the US, the EU, Singapore and the GCC, as well as 100% foreign-ownership, no corporation or employee taxes and visas on arrival’he added.

In 2018, Oman was the top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the entire Gulf region, with $19.6 billion poured into the country from investors in countries including the UK, India and China.

‘Alongside its logistics plans, ASYAD is working to support the expansion of other maritime industries in the Sultanate, including the creation of a ‘blue economy’ through the sustainable development of the country’s fisheries industry’said Mr Salim Al Hatmi.

The capital city Muscat’s hotel sector is burgeoning with luxury developments – all served by Oman’s national airline with its new Dreamliner fleet and a recently opened international airport, which has already picked up a string of international awards.

‘We believe the expansion in sea-faring visitors provides a hint of Oman’s broader national growth plans, which include an ambitious objective to diversify away from oil and gas and transform the country into a global shipping and logistics hub by 2040.We are confident that will drive economic development and will also create new jobs for Omanis,said Mr Al Hatmi.