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Fishing boats seized

A number of fishermen, who use plastic nets (qraqeer), had filed several complaints with the Emirate Fishing Committee alleging that the illegal practice of their fellow-fishermen, who use alyach, had led to destruction of a great number of their nets. To avoid such accidents, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has designated certain areas for each method of fishing.

The violators were caught red-handed in different areas of the emirate like Al Jazeerah Al Hamrah and the shores of RAK old city. It is said that hundreds of qraqeer nets were damaged or destroyed in these areas and in other parts of the emirate.

The committee banned the errant fishermen from work till its next meeting scheduled to take place on Monday. The action includes suspension of their fishing licences as well as work permits of their crewmembers.

The issue had generated heated discussion at the RAK Fishermen Association and among the people in general. The affected parties said they had filed several complaints with the MAF but any serious action had not been initiated. The ministry said the issue was under investigation to identify the perpetrators, against whom severe action would be taken.

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