The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) organized a workshop to update relevant local government authorities on the amendments made to Federal Law No. 7 of 2016 with regard to the exploitation, protection and development of living aquatic resources in the waters of the UAE and its regulations.
The workshop highlighted the provisions of the amended law and its regulations and recorded the feedback of the participants through facilitating a discussion on relevant topics. Based on the feedback received, the workshop offered multiple recommendations to be implemented in early 2019.
The recommendations included simplifying and unifying licensing and registration procedures for fish farms to avoid duplication of these procedures at various local departments. In addition, the workshop recommended that the validity of MOCCAE’s approval be extended for one year, and the renewals for a second year, to coincide with the license validity granted by local economic departments.
Participants also suggested that aquaculture is listed as a promotional activity carried out by economic departments to attract investors, as doing so would improve investment opportunities in this field.
Furthermore, they recommended updating the legislation that regulates the export of marine species caught in the UAE’s fishing waters and their by-products in order to maintain a stable local market. The stakeholders suggested adjusting the export periods to factor in climate change, fisheries stock, local production volume, and the surge in population.
With regard to reexports, participants proposed a mechanism to verify the validity and accuracy of data listed in health certificates issued by the concerned local authorities, by comparing it with the customs declaration that lists species and quantities.
Recommendations also included the issuance of a unified form for imported aquatic species, as the currently used certificates of origin, issued by exporting countries, do not specify the names of the species or quantities of the consignment.
The stakeholders that attended the meeting included the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dubai World Central (Dubai South), Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Environment Protection and Development Authority – Ras Al Khaimah, departments of economic development in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, municipal authorities in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Ajman, and Emirates Flight Catering.