Dubai: The ban on selling emperor fish (Sheri) and rabbitfish (Safi) in Dubai was lifted on May 1.
Dubai Municipality had banned fishing those two species between March 1 and April 30 as it is their reproductive season and to protect their overfishing.
The local fish varieties, together with grouper fish (hamour), are hugely popular in the UAE because of their taste and availability. However, the high demand has led to their overfishing.
Ministerial decree No 501 for 2015 prohibits fishing and selling of rabbitfish and emperor fish during their breeding season from March 1 to April 30 every year.
During the ban, there were no fines issued.
Hussain Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said he wants to thank fishermen and fishmongers for abiding by the ban, which ended without any fines being issued.
“This shows their keenness on protecting fisheries in Dubai and prevent its depletion,” he said.
The municipality and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment worked together to monitor the souqs to ensure everyone is following the rules.
During the ban, only two warnings were issued to two fishmongers who were storing a small amount of emperor fish in their coolers. The fish were confiscated and disposed of following municipal procedures.
Alia Al Harmoudy, director of the environment department at the municipality, said they carried out inspection campaigns in Deira and Umm Suqeim souqs, in addition to inspecting 25 shops that sell fresh fish.
