RAK residents call for import of Safi, Sheri fish during ban

Ras Al Khaimah - Fishing, trading, importing or exporting these popular fish is banned by law from March till April.

Residents in Ras Al Khaimah are suggesting that the popular Safi and Sheri fish be imported during the two-month fishing ban that started recently.
Fishing, trading, importing or exporting these popular fish is banned by law during their breeding season, from the beginning of March till the end of April.
Abdullah Al Mansuri, an Emirati, said Safi and Sheri are his family's favourites. "We do respect the ban decree, but these fish remain available at markets in nearby countries during the ban."
"Opening the door for importing these two types of fish will also help preserve the local reserves of them," said another Emirati resident, Mohammed Ibrahim.
Prices of these fish are, in fact, quite low in nearby countries, they said.
"A kilo of Safi or Sheri fish is available for only Dh10 at these markets," said Tunisian expat Islam Al Qasim.
The Environment Protection and Development Authority (Epda) here has ramped up its inspection and surveillance campaigns to ensure compliance with the Safi and Sheri ban.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, director of Epda, said they have run several campaigns to keep fishermen and retailers informed. "Most of the fishermen here have shown full compliance with the two-month ban."
Damaged nets
While fishermen were keeping their Safi and Sheri catch in their fixed nets near the beach, a lot of fish had died due to the strong winds that hit the emirate over the last few days.
Mustafa Al Duri, an Emirati fisherman, said he had to let go of the rest of his catch "to avoid penalties for violating the two-month ban".
Humaid Al Zaabi, deputy chairman of the RAK fishermen society, said most of the fishermen's nets were damaged "due to the rough sea".
Some of them opened their nets to prevent the fish from getting stuck during the unstable weather. "This has helped saved many of them," Al Zaabi said.
Khalifa Al Muhairi, chairman of the RAK fishermen society, said fish prices were going up as the weather conditions had brought about a shortage in supply.
"This is mainly due to the bad weather, rough sea, and strong wind," he said.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah