“Aqua Middle East Exhibition and Conference”, the remarkable event in the region, run from 16 to 18 March at Dubai World Trade Center, successfully concluded its activities where it attracted nearly 15000 visitors interested in fish farming.

H.E. Sultan Alwan, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Water Resources and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Water, said that the Ministry of Environment and Water organized the Exhibition this year under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and in collaboration with the “Nor Fishing” Foundation in Norway and the Chilean Institution “Editec Groupo Editorial”. This demonstrates the efforts of the Ministry to protect the environment and ensure sustainable water resources. The ministry expressed its commitment towards supporting and developing aquaculture being one of the fastest growing food sectors in the world and particularly fish farming industry in order to increase its share in the National Production.

 H.E. Sultan Alwan said that the region’s first Aqua Middle East Exhibition is a strategic step and strong foundation for the enhancement by the Ministry of the fish stock, which is one of the most important vital resources in the Country and to ensure sustainable food security.

 H.E. Alwan added that this three-day exhibition is held for the first time in the Middle East and it attracted about 15000 visitors, of whom 6000 participants, exhibitors’ representatives, experts, traders, investors, interested fish farming industry and school and university students, have visited the Ministry’s podium.

     The Exhibition provided the institutions, private sector companies, specialists and interested people, with a great opportunity to explore promising opportunities in this segment and to identify distinctive and successful experiences of the pioneers who participated in this Exhibition and the industry best practices and latest systems and technologies.

 H.E. Alwan pointed that visitors were interested in learning about the Country’s achievements in the field of fish farming and its future prospects which were reviewed by the Ministry of Environment and Water in its podium. The visitors were briefed about the locally cultivated fish species including economic local fishes like Hamour, Sobaity, Shaam and Qabet.  

 The Ministry also reviewed a map of the fish farms in the Country and how they can obtain proper licenses and updated the attendees about the progress of work at Sheikh Khalifa Marine research centre in Umm Al Quwain which include 5 stages and the how the center supported this industry in the Country.

 H.E. Alwan noted the importance of the investment of opportunities and facilities and the technical support services provided by the Ministry to build fish farming industry under the highest standards, able to compete and provide an added value to the nation economy and to contribute at the same time to double the efforts to protect the Country’s natural resources and preserve its fish stock.