The Ministry of Environment and Water has held a series of meetings with local organizations concerned with the enforcement of Ministerial Resolution No. (501) for 2015, which prohibits the fishing and selling of spangled emperor (lethrinus nebulosus) and whitespotted spinefoot (siganus canaliculatus) during their breeding season across the UAE. The sessions are in line with the efforts of the Ministry and relevant parties to implement the resolution’s guiding principles and regulations. The ban is in effect from March 1 to April 30 of each year.

H.E. Engineer Saif Mohammed Al-Shara, the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for External Audit Sector, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to put a stop to destructive fishing practices such as overfishing in its bid to protect, preserve and develop local fish stocks as well as ensure the country’s food security. He said the resolution supports the UAE’s efforts to protect its natural resources, including fisheries, and create a sustainable environment in the state.

 H.E. Eng. Al-Shara said: “The Ministry’s series of meetings with its strategic local environmental partners were aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of banning fishing during breeding season. Such a move will ensure strict implementation of the ministerial resolution developed to protect spangled emperor and whitespotted spinefoot from overfishing, especially during their reproductive season. Overfishing results in the reduction of fish stocks to below acceptable levels.”

 H.E. Eng. Al-Shara said the Ministry will continuously strengthen its cooperation and coordination with local and federal authorities to achieve their common objectives, noting that the efforts of its strategic partners to protect and preserve the environment and living aquatic resources in the country are commendable. He added that the ministerial resolution has a positive impact on the ongoing efforts to increase and preserve the supply of spangled emperor and whitespotted spinefoot in the country for future generations. He called on the fishermen to set these species free if they get accidently netted by their fishing equipment.

 The meetings also aimed to develop and implement regulations in fish markets and main nationwide outlets, including shops and designated inspection points at fishing ports, among others. The Ministry met with heads of fishermen associations, local authorities in charge of fish inspection and control in the eastern coastal region, and representatives of the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority, Dubai Municipality, the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, and Environment Protection and Development Authority – Ras Al Khaimah. From January to February 2016, the Ministry is scheduled to meet with authorities in charge of inspection and control across the UAE to ensure strict enforcement of the resolution.

 As per Ministerial Resolution No. (501) for 2015, selling of local and imported spangled emperor and whitespotted spinefoot in fish markets across the country is prohibited from March 1 to April 30 of every year.  The resolution also bans the exportation and re-exportation of these species, whether fresh, frozen, salted, smoked or canned or in any other forms, during the given period.

 The ministerial resolution aims to protect the species considered at risk due to overfishing and increased consumption of their eggs during breeding season, which affects their inability to reproduce. Penalties will be imposed on violators of the resolution as per Federal Law No. (32) of 1999 on Exploitation, Protection, and Development of Living Aquatic Resources.