The Supreme Committee for the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources held its debut meeting, presided over by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
As the first order of business, the meeting defined the scope of work of the Committee, identified the roles of individual members, and outlined the mechanism of forming ad-hoc subcommittees as needed. In addition to growing the population of living aquatic resources and sustaining local production, the Committee is tasked with boosting the competitiveness of the fisheries sector in the UAE, advancing its infrastructure and enhancing the efficiency of fishing facilities in the country. It is also responsible for stepping up R&D in marine and fishing technologies, coordinating affairs of fishermen in each emirate, and better managing the requirements of the wider fishing community.
Furthermore, experts from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) presented an overview of the fisheries sector in the UAE, and highlighted the contribution of local fish production to meeting the country’s demand. Announcing the results of fishery stocks surveys, they highlighted the pressures facing fish stocks in UAE waters, as well as the measures taken to mitigate these pressures and develop aquatic resources.
His Excellency Dr Al Zeyoudi said: “Sustaining marine resources and scaling up local production are goals that we strive to achieve through putting in place appropriate legislations and routinely launching initiatives and ventures on the ground.”
He added: “The Supreme Committee for Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources will streamline all future efforts to sustain aquatic biodiversity and resources nationwide.”
During the meeting, participants proposed an action plan draft for 2020-2025. Recommendations from the meeting included constituting a technical committee that will track the progress on the tasks of the Supreme Committee. The technical committee will comprise select members of the Supreme Committee.
Members of the Supreme Committee include representatives of MOCCAE, the Ministry of Economy, the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority, the Federal Transport Authority - Land and Maritime, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, the Department of Economic Development in Umm Al Quwain, the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah Municipality.