Residents in Ras Al Khaimah are complaining about foul smell

Fishermen are drying fish on the beach.

Fish being dried at Al Rams and Halila has caused the stink that has engulfed the nearby areas, the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah has pointed out.
The announcement comes following concerns voiced by locals over the widespread foul smell. The residents have been wondering how and from where the odour has been emanating.
Saeed Saleh, an Emirati national, said the bad smell had been giving them and their families a very hard time.
"There should be a permanent solution to this problem, which crops up regularly."
Abdullah Salem, a resident of Al Rams area, said the problem can't be sorted by one factory alone. "There should be more and bigger factories for drying fish."
"Fishermen should be banned from drying their fish on the beach," said Mustafa Abdullah, a local from Halila.
Alerted about the obnoxious smell, the bodies concerned launched an investigation, and discovered that the fish being dried - that's to be sold later - was behind the smell.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, director of the environment protection and development authority, RAK, said there is a specialised factory here for drying fish.
"The problem is that large amounts of fish need to be dried and therefore, some fishermen can not help but dry their fish close to the beach, triggering the foul smell to waft around."
He added that the problem is temporary and will end soon.
"This is actually the season when fish are dried, and they will be packed and sold in the local market or exported soon."
This kind of dried fish, locally known as Uma, is collected from the Eastern Coast and Arabian Gulf, he explained. 
"They are dried and packed in plastic bags, and either sold as farm fertilisers or livestock animal fodder."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah