Minister honors Emirati fishermen who helped save stranded whale sharks

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has honored Abdullah bin Rabee, an Emirati fisherman who helped free a whale shark that was stranded on Khor Fakkan beach in February 2022.

The fisherman was honored by Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, for helping release stranded endangered fish back into the deep sea with the help of a group of fishermen.

The recognition comes during the first meeting of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) with the fisherman’s association in 2023.

In a statement, MOCCAE said bin Rabee’s actions had a positive impact on the environment and reflected the level of community awareness of the need to protect aquatic life.

The session also saw Al Mheiri present the ministry’s vision to support fishermen in developing their fisheries wealth as a key enabler of food security in the UAE, while also identifying possible solutions to the challenges faced by fishers.

“[Fishermen play a prominent role] To promote the UAE’s time-honored craft of fishing, which is an important pillar of the country’s national food security. Through their efforts and full cooperation with MOCCAE, fishermen make a significant contribution to the development and sustainability of fisheries now and in the future. We have made many recent efforts to support fishers at all levels and are delighted to share these results with the Fishers Association today,” said Al Mheiri.

“Fishing that takes into account all environmental aspects is an important pillar in strengthening the UAE’s efforts to achieve sustainability and fulfill its climate and environmental obligations to the world. In light of the UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainable This is especially important at the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention (COP 28). The ministry is keen to improve fisheries in all emirates of the country and will do more to translate this into reality in the coming period,” she added.

The meeting was held at Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Headquarters and was also attended by Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Undersecretary, Biodiversity and Aquatic Sector, MOCCAE, and several representatives from Fishermen’s Associations in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Kalba, Fujairah , Bidiyah and the Northern Emirates Fishermen’s Cooperative Association.

“The ministry spares no effort in supporting the fisherman’s associations in the various emirates of the country as they represent all fishers in the country and we work with these associations to find solutions to the various challenges fishermen may face through many initiatives. Helps to promote fishing activities and are in line with the procedures and decisions of the country’s direction to enhance food security and protect the environment. This supports its sustainability as a real food resource on everyone’s table in the UAE,” said Dr Al Hammadi.

“Over the past period of time, MOCCAE has done a lot to strengthen the role of fishers, identify their problems and try to solve them within the framework of partnership with all relevant authorities in all emirates of the country”. She presented the Ministry’s field visits to Northern Regional Associations, and the most outstanding results achieved in the past year. These achievements include establishing a long-expired fishing vessel license renewal system, initiating fishing port maintenance and protection, and changing support for marine engines, increasing and diversifying the power of the engines,” he added.

Al Hammadi also referred to issues being addressed by the ministry, including reconsidering decisions on violations and coordinating with the Critical Infrastructure and Coast Protection Agency to rescue fishermen at sea if necessary and in relation to equipment failure. He discussed other areas of focus, including the impact of desalination of sea areas on the marine environment and living aquatic resources, regulations restricting fish imports during the breeding season, revisions to traditional fishing net sizes, and net planning. Operation and submission season.

MOCCAE holds regular meetings with fisherman’s associations in the various emirates of the country. The meeting discussed the needs of fishers, their situation, concerns and their most important requirements for the fishing industry.