The Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment has identified nine species of fish in the country being overfished, making them vulnerable to extinction, pointing to the importance of continued commitment by fishermen to ban fishing of some species of fish.
"The results of the biological studies carried out by the research institutions in the country indicate that there are economic species of fish that are exposed to overfishing, including grouper, barley, net, brushes and ribs," Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Biology Division, Salah Al-Riesi told Emirates Al-Youm. , Zubaidi, Yamaha, Kaufer, and Coffer, exposing them to lower stocks below levels of sustainability.
He pointed out that the campaigns and decisions of the fishing ban recorded a distinct case of commitment among the fishermen. The percentage of commitment to the decision to ban the net and barley has increased since its launch to reach 99% during the past year. This confirms the success of campaigns to raise awareness of fishing professionals, In the interests of the profession and society in general.
Fish stocks are of great importance in the UAE as one of the pillars of food security, a rich source of protein and amino acids, and fish oils are a source of calcium, iodine and vitamins. Despite the growing importance of fish stocks, Natural and human resources, which have significantly affected the status of natural fisheries in previous years, but have improved slightly based on the results of a recent survey carried out by the Ministry, in cooperation with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
He explained that the ministry is working through several initiatives and projects launched to maintain the sustainability of the fisheries, such as the issuance of legislation and decisions that ensure the sustainability of the stock and the provision of natural habitat for fish, through the cultivation of 30,000 trees and 24 species of coral reefs, And the landing of more than 3000 concrete caves in the waters of the state economic, in order to strengthen the stock of fish.