40 fined in RAK for leisure fishing in 3 months

Ras Al Khaimah - First-time offenders were let off with a warning, while repeat offenders were fined Dh500 each.

 Though some people enjoy fishing as a hobby, it is banned across the eight creeks in Ras Al Khaimah. Up to 40 residents were nabbed while fishing with rod and line in the Qawasim Corniche here in the first three months of the year.
First-time offenders were let off with a warning, while repeat offenders were fined Dh500 each.
The Department of Public Works and Services in Ras Al Khaimah has deployed additional inspectors to ensure compliance with the ban, according to a senior official.
Ahmed Hamad Al Shehi, manager of public services, said the inspectors of the 'Raqib Khiran' or 'Monitor Creeks' patrols have been increased from four to 10 to keep an eye on all the eight creeks of the emirate day and night.
"This has significantly curbed excessive fishing and preserved the protected areas here, particularly as only 40 rod and line fishing violations were registered in the first three months of the year - 13 in January, 15 in February, and 12 in March."
Staff inspectors are also patrolling the creeks on jet skis, he added. "Other inspectors are deployed on electric golf carts."
More warning signboards have been installed across the RAK creeks to develop public awareness about the ban on all fishing practices in the protected areas.
The department has also installed 100 solar-powered sensors close to the local Qarm trees along the Qawasim Creek, Al Shehi underlined. "The lights of these sensors are automatically turned on if anyone comes closer to them."
No illegal fishing boat has been detected since the installation of these remote sensors, he disclosed.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com