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 -
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.
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.
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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.
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).
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
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