The Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a new decree allowing the fishing of migratory fish using gillnets locally known as ‘Al Ghazal’.
Use of these nets will be permitted in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from October 15, 2013 until April, 30, 2014, which coincides with the optimum fishing season for these fish.
The new decree is in line with the government’s efforts to ensure the rights of fishermen to continue practicing fishing in balance with the need to conserve fish stocks.
The decree was issued based on the recommendations of the Fisheries’ Organising Committee for Abu Dhabi, under the chairmanship of Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD’s Secretary General.
Committee members include Ahmed Thani Murshid Al Rumaithi, Representative of the Diwan of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Eng. Mubarak Salem Madi, Director of the Western Region, Ministry of Environment and Water, Salim Ali Al Zaabi Director-General of National Transport Authority of the National Transport Authority and Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of the Biodiversity Management Sector at EAD.
During the meeting, the committee members discussed a number of issues related to fishing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and agreed to set the fishing season within the Northern Emirates to be October 15, 2013 until April 30, 2014. The Committee also agreed to tighten control over the traditional and recreational fisheries in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to ensure that fishing activies remain productive but at the same time in line with environmental conservation goals.
The Committee’s recommendations were submitted to H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAD for approval.