Dubai cracks down on illegal sale of small fish

Dubai Municipality, in collaboration with Ministry of Environment and Water, on Thursday launched an intensive campaign to prevent the trade of minor fish in fish markets aimed at protecting and developing the fish stock.

The campaign under the title "Development and Sustainability of Live Aquatic Wealth" targets fishermen, sellers, fish product companies, shopping malls and hotels.

Khalid Sharif, director of food control department said that the campaign came implementing the Ministerial Resolution No. 16 of 2010 concerning the prevention of fishing, selling and marketing of 14 types of minor fish, in order to protect and develop the fisheries.

Saif Mohammed Al-Shara, assistant undersecretary of the water resources and nature conservation sector of Ministry of Environment and Water said that the fish stock is considered a renewed national treasure and important food resource as it has many nutritional and health benefits.

The survey to assess the fish stock shows huge decline in the stock as a result of malpractices in the fishing activities including overfishing. For this reason, the Ministry has put certain policies and rules to protect the fisheries such as the Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning the exploitation, protection and development of living aquatic resources.

The officials found presence of several items of premature small fish in the markets leading to decline of the fish stock due to wrong fishing practices catching it before reaching maturity and economic size. Hence, the civic body issued a decision preventing the trade of 14 items of minor fish.

Sharif clarified that based on the results of campaign its final report will be issued and there will be strict actions against violators. The campaign will continue until the end of the year conducting morning and evening inspections in all markets of the emirate of Dubai. The civic body has notified all markets, fish shop owners and fishermen distributing booklets and establishing sign boards containing the terms and allowed sizes of fish for sale in the market.

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