FNC proposes laws to protect pearl wealth

The 40-member FNC house has proposed laws to protect treasured pearls along with marine life with a motto that the UAE waters remain solely for the nation.

By Jasmine Al Kuttab

Published: Wed 17 Jun 2015, 9:38 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 2:53 PM

- Photo: Reuters

ABU DHABI – The Federal National Council has expressed concern over protection of pearls, one of the most important national treasures of the UAE.

The 40-member FNC house has proposed laws to protect treasured pearls along with marine life with a motto that the UAE waters remain solely for the nation.

The final session last Tuesday mainly focused on the amendment of Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 that concerns the exploitation, protection and development of living aquatic resources in the UAE.

Dr. Rashid bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water, stressed that exploitation of aquatic resources is a highly important issue for the nation and they are by all means working on insuring that UAE’s waters are protected from those who misuse it.

“We humans are no different from the equipment used in the waters and thus we should leave the job to specialized professionals,” he says.

“The Ministry of Water and Environment are one of the organizations who look at these cases seriously and we also take feedback very seriously,” Bin Fahad declared. “We work in coordination with other organizations, which are also in charge of preserving, protecting and developing our waters,” he added.

However, Ajman representative, Sultan Al Shamsi made it clear that the community may interpret regulations differently, which could probably be the reason behind over misuse of the marine life resources. He stressed on protecting the country’s marine wealth from smuggling.

Al Shamsi emphasized the importance of insuring that people don’t take advantage of the nation’s hidden treasures and that the rules regarding UAE’s waters must be made clear for all and not taken lightly. “Anyone who is an authorised specialist in this profession must have good conduct and bahaviour,” he says.

jasmine@khaleejtimes.com