The gathering provided a platform for association officials to discuss key challenges that face citizens working in the fishing industry, and explore the best ways to overcome these challenges to preserve the fishing profession that is an integral part of the UAE’s heritage and history.

Her Excellency said: “Maintaining the continuity of the fishing profession and regulating the fishing industry to maximize the benefits for fishermen and ensure the sustainability of the country’s fish stocks, which contribute to its food security, are strategic priorities for MOCCAE.”

She added: “To support these objectives, the Ministry organizes periodic meetings with fishermen and their associations to identify key challenges and address them, in addition to raising their awareness about policies, laws, regulations, and the latest guidelines that enhance their participation in achieving the country’s goals.”

During the meeting, MOCCAE officials reviewed the most important issues that were raised with the UAE Fishermen’s Cooperative Union, and the outcomes of field visits to the associations. Between November 2021 and February 2022, the Ministry conducted 12 visits to the fishermen’s associations of Dubai, Sharjah, Hamriyah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Kalba, Fujairah, Khorfakkan, Al Bidiyah, Dibba Al Fujairah, Dibba Al Hisn, and Umm Al Quwain.

Key discussions covered the availability of introductory guides on fish spawning and breeding seasons, endangered species of marine life, decisions regarding the number of workers on fishing boats, and monitoring fishing violations.

The Cooperative Union presented several topics, such as revisiting the decision to transfer fishing licenses from one person to another, amending the seasons for fishing with nets, studying the specific conditions for the profession of deputy boat master, and regulating fish imports during breeding seasons.

The Ministry gave an initial approval to all fishermen to transfer fishing licenses after coordination with the relevant authority. The participants also discussed the nature of the support and increasing the number of beneficiary fishermen, amending the requirements for the deputy boat master by adding another category to this position without the requirement for a certain degree of kinship, conducting nine regular meetings for fishermen per year, rehabilitating ports and marinas to enhance the safety and security of fishermen, and coordinating with the concerned authorities regarding pleasure boats. In addition, they explored the possibility to organize specialized training programs for certain categories of fishermen to provide them with technical expertise in aquaculture with the aim of enhancing food security.

The meeting drew the participation of Dr Nasir Sultan, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, Sulaiman Rashid, President of the UAE Fishermen’s Cooperative Union, Jassim Hameed Al-Shar, Vice President of the UAE Fishermen’s Cooperative Union and Chairman of the Umm Al Quwain Cooperative Society for Fishermen, Abdel Nasser Al Shamsi, Executive Director of the Dubai Fishermen Cooperative Society, Ibrahim Al Abdooli, Vice President of the Sharjah Fishing Cooperative Society, Saif bin Samha, President of the Hamriya Cooperative Society for Fishermen, Mahmoud Al-Shara, President of the Fujairah Cooperative Society for Fishermen, Ibrahim bin Yousef, President of the Kalba Cooperative Society for Fishermen, and representatives of the Ras Al Khaimah Cooperative Fishermen Association.