Fishermen in Sharjah demand simplification of procedures to preserve the fishing profession

Fishermen in Sharjah demanded the need to simplify the procedures of government agencies in the emirate fishing trips, to keep the fishing profession from extinction due to high fees and the cost of trips inside the sea, stressing that the profession has become repulsive and useless, due to the restrictions that require Nokhatha citizens of the state, and registered in the Ministry Climate change and the environment, and obtained a certificate of good conduct, and other requirements of local departments in the emirate, calling on officials to go to the field and meet with fishermen to see their conditions closely, and know their demands and stand on them to protect the profession of grandparents and parents from extinction.

Officials and fishermen identified seven reasons for the decline in fishing trips and the offer of ships and boats for sale: the decline of interest of young people in the profession, the lack of financial usefulness, and the lack of moral and material support for the citizen fisherman, the enactment of laws limiting fishing trips, high operational cost and fuel prices, and the small area of ​​marine miles set for fishing. The decline in the financial returns of fishermen to financial losses, the ban on fishing of certain species during specific seasons, and the high cost of maintenance of boats and equipment.

More than 70 boats and vessels are on sale in Sharjah due to the many challenges facing the fishing profession, which is led by the lack of fishing practitioners by the owners of vessels and vessels due to the laws. The law forces fishermen to have Nokhatha or his representative on board the boat before leaving the fishing trip of the nationality of the state and make a permit for him, and to have a license to practice fishing, good conduct and behavior, as well as the small area of ​​miles Specific marine fishing which has a significant impact on the fishing process.

He continued: «The cost of the trip up to 10 thousand dirhams, as the Nokhatha citizen takes for each trip 3600 dirhams, and now controls the fishermen when he left and return from the trip, in addition to the cost of oil, food, snow, nets, ropes and wages of workers», pointing out that the fishing trip does not exceed He said that these challenges have made the fishermen abandon the profession because it has become useless, demanding the establishment of new mechanisms and laws to encourage citizens to practice fishing, and to grant permits for a specific period of Nokhadath of Arab nationalities under certain conditions under the sponsorship of the fishermen to practice fishing and get out of their boats so that everyone benefits.

Among the fishermen, Abu Khalifah and Abu Ali said that the boat is undergoing inspection before leaving the port to make sure that there is a citizen on the boat and a license to practice fishing. Tired fishing, which has become useless.

They called for the need to allow the Nokhatha, from the nationality of the Gulf and Arab countries, to go out on fishing trips, and open the way for Arab nationalities to be Nokhadha according to certain conditions deemed appropriate by the government agencies to keep the fishing profession from extinction. Especially with the beginning of the hunting season.

They explained that the process of resettlement in the fishing profession is difficult for the fisherman, especially since the fishermen who love the sea, mostly elderly, who have suffered from working in the sea for many years, and the imposition of Nokhatha citizen is not currently available, pointing out that some Nokhatha after the fisherman to obtain permits and licenses and finish Of all actions, they refrain from going out on hunting trips, and the only loser is the hunter.

Fishermen (who preferred not to be named) called on officials to go down to the field, to see the conditions of the fishermen up close, and to know their demands and stand on them to protect the profession of grandparents and parents from extinction.

In turn, the Chairman of the Fishermen's Association in Sharjah, Imran Al Shamsi, that the fishing profession is a difficult and tiring professions, as most of the workers are large age groups, pointing out that the main reasons for the reluctance of young people from the fishing profession is due to the effort it requires, and insufficient returns to the requirements In spite of the support provided by the concerned authorities and the government of Sharjah, he pointed out that the material cost has become the biggest challenge faced by the fisherman, especially as he is responsible for workers and Nwakadat and supplies, in addition to equipment, stressing the need for the concerned authorities to consider the matter, and work to put Several measures, contribute to the reduction of K. FH fishing trip, which has become expensive.

He explained that the association provides many services to the fishermen, but not enough to meet their needs, and the boat cost per trip more than 5000 dirhams, and the price of the fish caught in the trip does not cover the expenses, which makes the fishermen owe the association and the owners of the carriers.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Fishermen's Association in Dibba Al Hisn, Sultan Al Sharqi, that the Government of Sharjah is considering a law proposal, which would give more facilities for fishermen, but has not been adopted so far, indicating that there is a great reluctance by the fishermen at the moment, because of laws that limit Of the fishing profession, in addition to the high costs per trip, spacing fishing periods.

He pointed out that the fisherman needs material and moral support from the government, pointing out that some departments are not cooperating with the fisherman, despite the decisions that favor him, in addition to that the young people have become difficult to go out fishing for long periods of time, and the citizen fisherman has become an employee of one of the government and private functions.

Imran Al Shamsi:

• (The Association) provides many services to fishermen, but it is not sufficient to meet their needs ».

Sultan Al Sharqi:

• “Great reluctance on the part of fishermen, because of laws that restrict the fishing profession”.

• 5000 Dhs per boat trip, and the price of fish caught does not cover expenses.

• 7 reasons for the decline in fishing trips, the most important of which are restrictions and the lack of interest of the younger generation in the profession.