Your essential guide to fishing in the UAE (2024 update)

Dubai: There is no better way to enjoy the cooler months that are just around the corner than to head out to the beach or to the sea. Fishing holds historical significance in the UAE and even today many people head over to the beach or onto a boat along with their fishing gear. If you, too, would like to enjoy fishing in the UAE, here is all you need to know about getting a fishing licence.

The UAE’s waters and its species are protected by Federal Law No. (23) of the year 1999 concerning the exploitation, protection and development of living aquatic resources. Along with this law, there are several ministerial decrees that have been issued regulating the species of fish that can be caught, and those that are banned, the protected zones and prohibited equipment that are banned from use in the UAE. The law also bans fishing during the fertilisation or reproduction seasons and determines the minimum size of fish that can be caught, to protect the marine eco-system. The ban on fishing is announced each year and the respite allows time for fragile fish stocks to replenish.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment issues an annual calendar, clearly marking the months where fishing is banned based on species. The complete list can be found here.

When you do go out to fish, it is important to consider whether or not your activity is going to have a damaging effect on the marine ecology.

For example, did you know that in a 2019 statement on sustainable fishing published by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) in partnership with MOCCAE, it was revealed that the UAE’s fisheries resources are severely overexploited with an estimated 90 per cent decline in the adult (reproductive) stock size for the three key species - Hamour (Orange spotted Grouper–Epinephelus coiodes), Shaari (Spangled Emperor – Lethrinus nebulosus) and Farsh (Painted Sweetlips – Diagramma pictum). The international threshold for a fish to be considered overexploited is when it is at 30 per cent of its stock size.

"Yet, in the UAE, best available information infers that the relative adult stock size of these three species are considered to be around 10 per cent of their unexploited state," the statement reads.

Shaari was another overexploited fish with stock sizes at 13 per cent of unexploited levels.

In cases where such a species of fish is caught, it is recommended to release it back into the ocean.

Now that you are familiar with the existing laws around fishing in the UAE, it is important to know where exactly you can go fishing. Whether you are on the shore or out in the sea, there are certain designated zones where fishing is allowed and within those zones, there are certain regulations that need to be abided by.

An easy way to find out about these rules is to follow the 'Hadaq' interactive map, which was created by MOCCAE specifically for guiding fishing enthusiasts and commercial fishermen. When you click on the map, you will be able to zoom into any location within the UAE and you will get details on different aspects like:

You can access the map here: https://gis.moccae.gov.ae/arcgis/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=10cb0d88a62f415696436dfbc8473e28

If you do go fishing, you need to make sure you have a valid fishing licence, which you can apply for at the relevant authority in your emirate.

To go fishing in Abu Dhabi waters, citizens, residents and tourists need to apply for a licence through the Tamm website. Tamm is the official platform for all government related services in Abu Dhabi.

These are the two types of recreational fishing licences that can be applied for, which allow you to enjoy surf fishing on the coasts of Abu Dhabi using thread, hooks and spearguns while free diving (Hayari).

You will receive the permit electronically on your registered email address.

Cost: Dh30

You will receive the permit electronically on your registered email address.

Cost: Dh120

The Natural Resources Protection section of Dubai Municipality is the competent authority to provide licensing services for fishing within the emirate’s regional water, including a licence for recreational fishing. 

To apply for the licence follow these steps:

Once you have completed the application, it will be reviewed and the licence issued to you electronically.

Required documents

You would need to provide one of the following documents as a Proof of Residency in the emirate of Dubai:

Cost: The licence is issued free of cost

Processing time: Three working days

In Ras Al Khaimah, Environment Protection and Development Authority is the entity competent to issue fishing licences in the regional waters of the emirate. Its duties include regulation of fishing and protection of fish resources in the emirate. Fishing for recreational or commercial purposes is not allowed in Ras Al Khaimah without obtaining a licence from the authority.

Some basic equipment you need in your fishing kit includes:

The article was first published on March 5, 2020 and has been updated since.