Fishermen violating rules off Dubai

Emirati and Asian fisherman were caught on camera using banned tools in catching fish off Dubai and their boat registration number was deliberately hidden to avert penalties.

A UAE fishermen, identified by his first name Mohammed, said he was on a fishing trip off the emirate when he spotted the group.

He told Emarat Al Youm daily that when he came close to them he found that they were using banned nets and a large part of their catch were fish which just laid their eggs.

“Unfortunately, the boat owner was an Emirati who had a mask on his face. The other fishermen were Asians,” he said.

“I noticed that they had deliberately concealed the registration number so the boat will not be identified.”

The paper quoted an official at the ministry of environment and water as saying authorities would check the boat and take action.

Sultan Alwan, Assistant Undersecretary, said fishermen caught violating fishing rules are fined Dh5,000. In case the offence is repeated, their boat is impounded for six months while a third offence leads to the cancellation of the boat licence.

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