The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has launched an awareness campaign for implementing the Ministerial Decision No 501 of 2015 regulating the fishing and trading of Sheri and Safi fish during the breeding period starting from 1st March to 30th April 2017.
The decision stipulates that trading of local or imported Sheri and Safi fish is prohibited in fish markets and outlets during the breeding season of every year in the country. Importing and exporting of these fish in any form (fresh, frozen, salted, smoked, packed) is also not allowed during this period. Fishermen should send Sheri and Safi fish back to water if they are caught by mistake.
With the aim of protecting and improving fish stock and promoting food security, the ministry held meetings with its strategic partners to work together in raising awareness among all concerned groups regarding the prohibition of fishing during the breeding period as well as to shed light on its benefits.
Salah Abdullah Al Rayssi, Director of Fisheries Department at MOCCAE, stressed that this decision will bring positive impacts on increasing the fish stock especially Sheri and Safi and help promote a sustainable marine environment and fish conservation, production and trade in the country, which is a key element of achieving Vision 2021.
Al Rayssi said that Sheri and Safi are among the most important local fish which are hugely draining due to uncontrolled fishing during breeding season, which in turn denies the opportunity to rebuild its natural stocks. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and coordination between MOCCAE and local authorities, praising their continuous efforts to protect the environment and develop the country’s fish resources.
Aiming to establish a mechanism for ensuring the resolution’s effective implementation, the meetings also focused on plans to integrate the resolution’s provisions into the regulatory procedures adopted by local food control authorities as well as its participation in awareness campaigns.
Saif Mohammed Al Shara, Assistant Under-Secretary for the External Audit Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, indicated that along with the awareness programs for fish suppliers and market traders, local food control authorities will take action to monitor the market by preventing the supply of Sheri and Safi fish during this period. Therefore, any trucks containing the prohibited fish that come to markets will be seized and penalised.
The ministry will coordinate with local authorities in conducting periodical visits to all fish selling outlets in the country and to all exporting and importing companies and will provide reports on their status of commitment to the decision. It will also issue penalties if the markets and companies fail to comply with the decision as applicable under the ministerial decision No 18 of 2012 regarding the violators of regulatory decisions on marine life.
Al Shara explained that for first-time violators, a written warning will be issued along with the confiscation of their catch. Repeat offenders will be fined Dh 2,000 along with the confiscation of their catch, while third-time offenders will face a one-week suspension of their boat license.
Fish store owners who violate the existing provisions for the first time will receive a written warning along with the confiscation of products; a Dh 2,000 fine with confiscation for the second offense; and one-week closure of their stores to be implemented in coordination with local authorities for the third offense.