12 nabbed for catching banned small fish in UAE

Ras Al Khaimah - One of the erring fishermen caught Safi and Sheri fish during banned months

The Environment Protection and Development Authority has nabbed 12 fishermen for flouting fishing rules in the first nine months of the year. The suspects were catching small fish in violation of law No 23 for the year 1999 which has been enacted to protect and develop the marine wealth.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, executive director of the authority, said catching small fish is banned.
"Small fishes need enough time to grow and multiply to meet the demands of fish in the country."
One of the erring fishermen caught Safi and Sheri fish during banned months, he added.
"The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment issued decree No 501 in 2015 whereby fishing Sheri and Safi fish was banned in March and April."
The move was meant to streamline the fishing and marketing of fish, particularly at their season of reproduction, Dr Ghais explained.
"Strict measures are taken against violators, and more inspection campaigns will be launched to curb all anti-environment violations."
Official records showed that the inspectors have managed to seize 500kg of these popular types of fish from a fisherman here. The patrols found the big amount of fish in the possession of one fisherman. Dr Ghais said all fishermen should use the standardised fishing tools "so as not to affect the fish resources of the emirate"
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah