Detailing the new rule, Halima Essa Al Jasmi, Head of Fisheries Section at MOCCAE, said: “In line with the objectives of the ministry’s strategy and as a core pillar of UAE Vision 2021, this decision promotes food safety, sustainability of domestic production and conservation of marine environment. Banning fishing of pelagic fish during a specific period of time is the first step of its kind to be taken by the ministry and a crucial one. It supports the preservation, development and sustainability of fish stocks by allowing them time to lay eggs and set off migration.”

The legislation applies to all fishermen registered with MOCCAE and running registered speed boats (Tarad) and will regulate fishing of pelagic fish using encircling nets by standardizing the specifications of the seines that should be used during fishing.

The legislation further specified the open season for fishing of pelagic fish to be during the period from 1^st November of every year to 30th April of the following year, to avoid depletion of fish as they are an important and dependable source of nourishment.

Al Jasmi indicated that the decree stipulates the specifications of nets used for fishing in both western and eastern coasts as: maximum length of net is 1100 m and maximum width of net is 20 m and should not touch the seabed, while in in eastern coasts maximum width of net is 28 m and should not touch the seabed.  

“The net should not be closed from the bottom while catching the pelagic fishes using encircling net, or the net should not be tied with more than one boat. The decree also prohibits fishermen from throwing damaged nets and dead fish at sea or on the shore, obliging fishermen to dispose of them in the designated places,” she explained.

“The prohibited areas for fishing are: Natural or industrial marine reserves, inland waters such as natural or artificial lakes, areas that fall within three (3) nautical miles from the military zones or marine islands or vital facilities, power stations and desalination plants on the coast, or located within 500 meters outside the boundaries of petroleum industrial areas specified on marine charts, and in all fishing waters across Abu Dhabi,” she elaborated.

“All fishermen should pass through the checking points of the concerned fishing areas while they go for fishing and return. All fishermen should register under his specific area of fishing and should inform the authority in case of changing the fishing area obeying all fishing and safety rules of each emirate,” Al Jasmi added.