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Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in United Arab Emirates

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for United Arab Emirates - aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.

 

Ministry of Environment & Water - Fisheries Division -

AQUASTAT is FAO's global information system on water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water Division. It collects, analyses and disseminates data and information by country and by region. Its aim is to provide users interested in global, regional and national analyses with comprehensive information related to water resources and agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Information for United Arab Emirates

A Country Report On Fisheries In The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a coastal country located on the southern side of Arabian Gulf having extensive coastlines on its West and East facing the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman respectively. According to the hydrographic surveys conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Water of U.A.E., the water temperature ranges from 20°C to 34°C and salinity from 36.8 p p t to 43 p p t over an annual cycle at the surface layers in the coastal waters of U.A.E. As per the observations by Alkole and Solovion (1978) the plankton biomass showed an annual mean of over 200 mg/m3 for the Arabian Gulf. The sediments of U.A.E. shelf area consist mainly of muddy sand with shell fragments. Traditionally, fishing provided the main livelihood for the early population during the pre-oil discovery era. But later the oil recourses paved the way for the overall development of the country. The wise leadership of H.H. Sh. Zayed Bin Al Nahyan gave tremendous momentum for the covetalsle progress in trade and Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries and other spheres.

The Fishing Industry in the U.A.E.
The fishing industry in the U.A.E. is mainly artisanal. The national fisherman are given lot of incentive by the government by way of providing subsidized boats and engines to promote the fishing industry in the country. The statistics available for the estimated fish landing indicated that the catch increased from 95.1 x 103 tons in 1990 to 105.5 x 103 tons in 2000. The number of people engaged in fishing as a full time or part time fishermen showed an increase from 10,172 in 1990 to 15,543 in 2000 while the increase in the total number of fishing boats for the same period was from 3,321 to 4,688. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the yearly estimated data on the total catch, number of fishermen and boats respectively.

Fishing Crafts and Gears
In the past, the fishing was carried out using a variety of crafts indigenously fabricated which couldn't withstand in rough sea or weather conditions. But the present day fishing crafts are mostly wooden or fiberglass made which are relatively stable and heavy duty powered by either outboard or inboard engine.

Gears commonly used in U.A.E. are Fish traps, lines and hooks, beach line and gill nets. Fish traps are very widely used by the U.A.E. fishermen as the catch would be more fresh than those caught using gill net or other types of gear.

Fishing Regulations on Resource Exploitation and Management
The Ministry of Environment and Water has stipulated specific fishing regulations concerning the fishing gear, area, season and the workforce. As per the law, it is illegal to catch undersize fish, to use less than 2 inch mesh in fish traps or less 1½ inch fishing nets, to carry out the fishing operations in spawning and nursery areas during the restricted period and also to do fishing without the presence of a national on board of the vessel.

A more scientific approach is exercised on the fisheries planning and management. Bottom trawling is not allowed in the territorial waters of U.A.E. in order to protect the ecological equilibrium of the area and to avoid environmental devastation of the demersal fisheries. The government has provided free facilities for the repair of marine engines in workshops located at almost every fishing village. Marketing of the commodities is prompted by linking the various places by modern roads and by constructing markets with all necessary facilities for the proper storage and sale under hygienic conditions. Fishermen's co-operative societies are functioning at major fishing areas to look into their grievances and needs.

Aquaculture Activities
The Arabian Gulf area is a productive area as far as the marine resources are concerned. But there are occasional pollution scare due to heavy traffic of oil transportation, tanker accidents etc. In view of the vulnerable situation, the fisheries department has started aquaculture of certain locally important fish and shrimp species. Although on an experimental scale, the Marine Resources Research Center (MRRC) can successfully produce fingerlings under the conditions prevailing in U.A.E. Most of the fingerlings produced at the Center are being released to the lagoons and coastal areas in U.A.E. so as to enhance the resource potential of the area which is the general policy of the government. The fish species cultured at the center include Rabbitfish, Sea bream and Grouper while the Penaeus Semisuleatus is the shrimp species produced mainly.

Experimental studies also are being conducted at the Center on the growth rates of fish after feeding with various kinds of fish feeds. Survival rate of fish under polluted environment also investigated in certain experimental studies.

Early studies of the MRRC included hydrographic surveys of the coastal waters of U.A.E. and seasonal variations of the oceanographic parameters are already studied.

RAIS - Regional Aquaculture Information System - The RAIS groups all Member countries of the Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) (Bahrain, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) which has decided to establish a web-based information system to facilitate the exchange of aquaculture information in the Gulf area and to develop an informal, flexible and functional network of regional experts to promote and develop the sector in the region.

Fish Landing and Biological Studies
The Fisheries Department has been engaged in the collection of data and fishermen since 1980 and these are being published in the ministries year book annually. MRRC is carrying out certain biological studies on selected fish species to assess the age, spawning time and spawning age apart from the length and body weight particulars.

However, the U.A.E. has achieved self-sufficiency in fish and other marine products under the wise leadership of H.H. Sh. Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Hopefully more and more developments would take place in fisheries sector in the years to come.

Commercial Fishing Licence - This Service allows the issuing of an annual renewable licence that permits its bearer to fish for profit. Commercial fishing licences are only available to UAE Nationals of Abu Dhabi who own registered commercial fishing boats. The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is the competent authority for the implementation of Federal Law No. 23 on fisheries and is charged with managing fishing activities in waters. The licensing process allows the Agency to assess the impact of commercial fishing on fish habitats.

Species of Caught fishes by Dhagwa
Fishes which are usually caught by beach nets:

Sardine (Sardinella longiceps). The species referred to here has local name (Zenabah) caught during Winter Season.

Another kind of Sardine has the local name (Rahzow) caught during Summer Season.

Aljashei, Albarya ( Stolephorus indicus)
The catching may include some other demersal and immigrant fishes but in little quantities if compared Sardine and Stolephorus unless the fishing was targeted to catch immigrant and demersal fishes during the high season.

Catch value of beach nets:
Catch value is estimated between Dhs 1000 – 3000 per ton according to the condition of the market and the fishing season. The rate price of fresh Sardine and Stolephorus indicus in the retail market may reach to Dhs 2500 per ton ( averaged 2.5 dirham per kilo). The rate price percentage of Stolephorus species increases by 25% than Sardine Species, while the rate price per bag of dry Sardine ( usually weighs 15kg ) is valued about twenty dirham.

Fisheries Management and Licensing
The Agency has been carrying out with licensing for fishing activities as part of its mandate as the competent authority for fisheries management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since May 2000.

• Management initiatives and regulations
1. As proposed by the Fishing Organizing Committee and as per the government policy to emiritize the fishery sector including fishing operations, EAD has issued the decree No. (5) For the year 2007 in respect to regulating the commercial fishing vessel’s activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi requiring national boat owners or their close relatives to be present on board during fishing operations.
2. A decree was issued to ban fishing of migratory species in particular Kana’ad using the method of halaq as a measure to protect and conserve the species and the marine environment in general
3. Provision of definitions of the fishing boats (Lansh and Tarad)

Fishing Licenses:
1. Development and Implementation of E-government services for licensing and permitting.
2. Issuance of 6 commercial licenses in the basis of transfer of ownership and renewal of 487 commercial licenses to active fishermen.
3. A total of 145 annual recreational fishing licenses and 259 weekly recreational fishing licenses were issued. Furthermore 119 recreational fishing licenses were renewed.
4. 32 traditional fishing licenses 7 (annual), 9 (2-years) and 16 (3-years) were issued during 2007
5. Gargour permitting was initiated during the year 2003 according to the decree issued to regulate gargour trap fishery .During 2007 (5348) new panels and 16170 replacement tags were issued for fishermen owning registered lanshes.
6. Permits were also issued for al Hadhra (45 permits), diving clubs (7 permits).

• As proposed by the Fishing Organizing Committee and as per the government policy to emiritize the fishery sector including fishing operations, EAD issued Decree No. 5 for the year 2007 to regulate the commercial fishing vessel’s activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi requiring national boat owners or their close relatives to be present on board during fishing operations.
• Another decree was issued to ban fishing of migratory species, in particular Kana’ad, using the method of halaq as a measure to conserve the species and protect marine environment in general.
• Developed and implemented eGovernment services for licensing and permitting.
• Issued 6 commercial licenses on the basis of transfer of ownership and renewed 487 commercial licenses to active fishermen.
• A total of 145 annual recreational fishing licenses and 259 weekly recreational fishing licenses were issued. Furthermore, 119 recreational fishing licenses were renewed.
• 32 traditional fishing licenses 7 (annual), 9 (2-years) and 16 (3-years) were issued.
• Gargour permitting was initiated in 2003 according to the decree issued to regulate gargour trap fishery. During 2007, 5,348 new panels and 16,170 replacement tags were issued for fishermen owning registered lanshes.
• Permits were also issued for Al hadhra (45 permits) and diving clubs (7 permits).

 

Fisheries in United Arab Emirates

Fish Landings and Population Dynamics
This Agency is implementing is project in order to monitor fisheries and assess the status of associated resources in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi other specific objectives include provide scientific and technical information for resource management purposes, conduct stock assessments and monitor the status of key commercially exploited species and provide statistics on landings, effort, species composition and wholesale value of catches made in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The project included conducting stock assessments of 3 key species in the demersal fisheries: Hamour, Farsh and Shaari.

• The Hamour (Epinephelus coioides) was still heavily over-exploited in 2007 with fishing mortality rates at 10 times the optimum sustainable level. Furthermore, the stock size was still at a critically low level and there has been no sign of recovery following the implementation of fishing effort restrictions in 2003.
• The Farsh was still heavily over-exploited in 2007 with fishing mortality rates almost 9 times the sustainable level. Furthermore, the stock size was still at a critically low level and there has been no sign of recovery following the implementation of fishing effort restrictions in 2003.
• The Shaari (Lethrinus nebulosus) was still heavily over-exploited in 2007 with the fishing mortality rate being more than 3 times the sustainable level. Whilst the fishing mortality rate had decreased considerably since 2006, the stock was still at a critically low level.

Reproduction in Hamour
• A comprehensive histologcal study of the reproductive biology of hamour provided important data required for fisheries management. The sexual pattern was defined as a ‘diandric protogynous hermaphrodite’, where males can be derived from a juvenile ‘bi-sexual’ phase or the transition of mature females into functional males.

Information on the size at sexual maturation of females and size and age distribution of males will help to form the basis of new fishing gear regulations for the demersal trap fishery in 2008. The regulations will be part of a strategy aimed at rebuilding stocks of depleted demersal species.

Conclusions and Resource Management Implications
• The principal fisheries resources of the Emirate are heavily over-exploited and further reductions in fishing effort are required if management targets are to be achieved. The stocks of Hamour and Farsh have not shown any signs of recovery and stock sizes are at critically low levels. The fishing mortality rate for Shaari has reduced since 2006 although it is still exploited in excess of sustainable levels. There is evidence demonstrating that juvenile escape panels are having an impact with Hamour and Shaari landings having lower proportions of juvenile fish when compared to the levels present in years before escape panels were introduced.

Fisheries Statistics Unit
The Fisheries Statistical Unit forms an integral part of the Fish Landings and Population Dynamics Project. The main objective is to monitor the commercial fisheries and the productivity of its marine resources, as well as to provide time series on fisheries statistics for fisheries management purposes.


As part of the joint initiative by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MEW) and the Agency to standardize the National Fisheries Statistics data collection and reporting system, a number of extra-project activities took place by MERC include assist the Ministry with the development and implementation of a shore-based fisheries data collection system in the remaining Emirates of UAE and in the development of a web-based integrated National Fisheries Information System.

Results
For reasons of continuity with previous annual reports, final fisheries statistics are presented for the year 2006 and preliminary stats until August of year 2007.

o Catch
- The total catch landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was 5,830 tonnes in 2006, of which 49% was realized by lanshes and 51% by tarads
- A clear dip in fish catches by lanshes is observable during the months of August to October 2006 which coincides with the summer period and the month of Ramadan which traditionally experiences low fishing activities.
- The drop in December 2006 landings is largely due to the constantly bad weather conditions during this month which hindered the lansh fisheries.
-The relative high catches by tarad fishing boats from October 2006 to March 2007 is directly correlated to the fishing season for Kanaad (Scomberomorus commerson).

o Effort
- A total number of 35,099 fishing trips were carried out in 2006.
- Landings by Hadaq form a significant proportion of the catch at Free Port, Delma, Al Sadar and Marfa, whereas landings by Gargoor dominated catches at Free Port and Delma. In the meantime, Leikh (gill net) fishery dominated landings at Marfa, Al Bateen and Sila.

o Catch composition
- The species composition of the catch is closely related to the fishing gear used and differs quite a lot between Lansh and Tarad landings in 2006.
- Lansh fishermen concentrated their efforts to four main species groups: Shaari Lethrinidae (27%), Hamour Serranidae (25%), Farsh Haemulidae (21%) and Jesh Carangidae (15%). The full range of fish landed by lanshes consisted only of demersal species.
- The species composition of landings from tarad fishermen in 2006 was dominated by a single pelagic species: Kanaad S. commerson (39%). Other major species groups landed by tarads were: Jesh Carangidae (21%) and Shaari Lethrinidae (19%).

o Wholesale value
- The total wholesale value of fish landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is estimated at 60.7 million AED in 2006, of which 47% was realized by lanshes and 53% by tarads.
- The Free Port was the principal landing site in 2006, contributing 56% of the total wholesale value. Al Sadar was next contributing 15% of the total wholesale value, as a result of Halaq fisheries. Delma Island and Al Marfa were ranked third with a reasonable 9% share of the total wholesale value.

Experimental Fishing
The Experimental Fishing Project is implemented by the Agency in order to determine appropriate gear regulations for the demersal trap fishery of Abu Dhabi, through undertake experimental fishing in various areas off the Emirate including oil concession areas to determine the spatial variation in size, age and sexual structure of Hamour and other commercially important species. I n addition to experiment with escape panels of different designs to determine selectivity characteristics and appropriate gear regulations for the demersal trap fishery.

• Conducted experimental fishing trips to Arzanah, Umm Al Shaif, Das, Zarkuh, Marawah Biosphere Reserve and Zakum. Trap sets were made using an average of 48 gargour per trip with 4 different escape panel configurations.
• Habitat type was recorded at each trap set location. Size and weight measurements were taken for all fish captured. Detailed morphometric data was also collected for Hamour (Epinephelus coioides), otoliths were extracted and used for ageing. Detailed reproductive diagnoses were conducted using histological preparations of gonads.
• For both Farsh and Hamour, the size distribution of fish retained increased with larger mesh sizes of escape panels, consequently the number of juvenile fish in catches was lower as mesh size increased.
• The abundance and mean size of Hamour was comparable between traditional fishing grounds and areas with restricted access. The abundance of all species was also similar between traditional fishing grounds and areas with restricted access.
• Initial observations suggest that fish abundance is strongly influenced by habitat with higher abundance being observed on more rugose substrates. There are no clear trends observed in abundance between traditional fishing grounds and areas subjected to restricted fishing activity. This suggests that oil and gas concession areas may not play an important role in resource conservation.

Fish eggs and larvae project was initiated by EAD to identify important spawning and nursery grounds of fishes and provide information that would facilitate adoption of measures to protect fish spawning habitats and populations and maintain a sustainable fishery in Abu Dhabi waters.

• Collected fish eggs and larvae from 10 stations along Abu Dhabi waters. Samples collected from Sir Bu Nuer.showed the highest number of eggs and larvae. Eggs and larvae distribution was high during summer. Hamour larvae recorded relatively more in Jarnain, Bu Tina and Umm Al Hatab Islands (Sila). Taxonomic identification of larvae of 8 fish species was conducted. Sir Bu Nuer.Ghantoot, Zarkawh and Ish are identified as important spawning grounds.
• Jellyfish blooms were recorded frequently in fish spawning grounds. Correlation between the jellyfish blooms and fish spawning occurrence is being investigated.

Monitoring Control & Surveillance
A Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Section was established at EAD to ensure compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to the exploitation and protection of the marine environment.
• Procured logistic and operation facilities including a fleet of 12 patrol boats and four vehicles, a permanent station at Al Mirfa and 4 temporary field stations at Jabal Al Dhanah, Marawah, Bul Siyayeef Marine Protected Area and Al Sader.
• Undertook a pilot study involving 18 vessels in which devices capable for GSM/GPRS, satellite or combined satellite and GSM/GPRS communication services were tried to determine the most suitable device that will offer uninterrupted coverage of the entire waters of the Emirate at all times.
• Staff was trained on the mechanics of MCS and according of judiciary responsibility