UAE | Environment

New fishing laws imposed to protect UAE coral reefs

Special nets called 'hallaq' now allowed only during certain periods.

  • WAM
  • Published: 23:41 October 3, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, has issued a number of ministerial decisions concerning the fishing of seasonal fish through the "Al Tahweet: encircling method" in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and the Eastern Region.

The decision was taken by the committee regulating fishing processes in every emirate.

The decision decreed that special nets called 'hallaq' are allowed to be used in fishing only from October 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009 in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah, while it will be allowed in the Eastern region from October this year until June 2009.

The ministerial decision called upon fishermen not to damage coral reefs and to use nets which will not break the corals.

Net fishing will also be restricted to boat owners and fishermen and holders of the licence, or the son or brother of the licence holder.

The licence holder also has to be present on the boat while fishing, according to the new law.

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