Her Excellency said: “We are keen to listen to the fishing community, learn about the challenges it faces, and work together to overcome them. In this context, we have amended some of the provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning the exploitation, protection, and development of living aquatic resources that are related to the fishing profession. We have also adjusted the procedures for fishing boat license transfer and renewal.”

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized that ensuring the sustainability of the fishing profession is of paramount importance to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), as the sector contributes to the UAE’s food security, the GDP, and employment. She applauded the fishermen’s role in the country’s development and their compliance with the rules and regulations set by the government to safeguard local fish stocks.

The meeting saw the launch of a fuel subsidy, provided to fishermen by MOCCAE in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC). The scheme will help fishermen weather the current surge in fuel prices and cut down on operational costs.

To determine eligible candidates, MOCCAE has designed a point system and will prioritize those with the highest scores. Fishermen are allocated points based on their gross income, if and when they received any marine engine subsidies, the year they enlisted their boats in the Ministry’s public register, the frequency of practicing fishing, and the number of family members registered in their family books. Based on the system, a total of 478 fishermen will benefit from the scheme in 2022. 

MOCCAE organizes periodic meetings with fishermen and their associations to identify key challenges and address them, in addition to raising their awareness about the latest relevant policies, laws, decisions, and guidelines with the aim of enhancing their participation in achieving the nation’s sustainability goals.