The Supreme Committee for the Exploitation, Protection, and Development of Living Aquatic Resources held its first meeting of 2022, presided over by Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
The meeting drew the participation of His Excellency Major General Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Chairman of the Regulatory Committee on Fishing of Living Aquatic Resources in Dubai, Her Excellency Hana Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, Her Excellency Asilah Abdullah Al Mualla, Director-General of the Fujairah Environment Authority, His Excellency Dr Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, Director of the Environment Protection and Development Authority of Ras Al Khaimah, Her Excellency Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Alfan Alshamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Trade Remedies Sector at the Ministry of Economy, Her Excellency Aisha Belharfia, Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, His Excellency Ahmed Al Hashemi, Acting Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Her Excellency Sheikha Abdullah Al Shamsi, Acting Director General of the Department of Economic Development in Umm Al Quwain, and His Excellency Eng Khalid Mueen Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Public Health and Environment Sector at Ajman Municipality and Planning Department.
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri said: “Protecting the marine environment and preserving its resources and biodiversity are strategic priorities that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) upholds through joining forces with its stakeholders and leveraging high-tech solutions.”
She added: “We rely heavily on seafood in our diet as a sustainable and healthy source of protein. We are committed to protecting our marine wealth and scaling up R&D in this area to increase the contribution of seafood products to our food security. The growing share of aquaculture in meeting the global demand for seafood underscores its appeal as a lucrative investment, therefore we are working on developing the sector locally by promoting investment and entrepreneurship and upgrading fishing regulations in cooperation with our stakeholders.”
Six Initiatives
The meeting featured presentations on six MOCCAE-led initiatives to boost aquaculture. These involved an evaluation of aquaculture systems at marine sites that has contributed to determining suitable aquaculture technology as per the UAE’s environmental and hydrographic conditions, issuing the second edition of the atlas of prospective aquaculture sites, and conducting a preliminary feasibility study of certain fish species.
The second initiative was a study of consumer patterns and choices that aims to explore fish purchasing preferences in the UAE to develop adequate broodstock of locally produced species.
The third initiative was a farm-level biosecurity guide that seeks to build capacities and enhance knowledge to mitigate biosecurity threats to the continuity of aquaculture operations.
Other initiatives included increasing the competitiveness of closed aquaculture systems by adopting value engineering to improve performance, functions, and cost, issuing the second edition of the UAE Aquaculture Pulse – a document that helps evaluate investment opportunities in local aquaculture, and identifying the requirements for compiling a seafood consumption database in the UAE as a reference for investors and stakeholders.
Production Inputs
The meeting highlighted the importance of attracting the private sector and stimulating investments in aquaculture production inputs, such as larvae, fish fingerlings, and feed, which represent a high share of the production cost. In addition, members reiterated the need for more cooperation and coordination between local authorities in mapping specific areas in each emirate that are suitable for aquaculture projects.
Entrepreneurship
The Committee discussed ways to promote the participation of young entrepreneurs and small investors in the aquaculture sector by designing small-scale, low-cost fish farms and liaising with financing entities to fund such projects.
Local Fishing Regulation Committees
MOCCAE introduced members of the Committee to its ongoing project that seeks to establish a fishing regulation committee in each emirate to complement the work of the concerned entities. The committees will oversee thorough implementation of federal legislation and resolutions related to protecting living aquatic resources to curb violations and regulate fishing to ensure a sustainable supply of fish for the community and future generations.
Dubai Model
The Regulatory Committee on Fishing of Living Aquatic Resources in Dubai shared its experience at the meeting. The Committee was formed to increase local commercial fish production by 2030. The presentation highlighted the Committee’s initiatives aimed at preserving living aquatic resources in Dubai, such as fishing regulation and deployment of artificial reefs.
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri applauded the integral role of the concerned stakeholders in sustaining the marine wealth of the UAE and contributing to the country’s food security.