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ABU DHABI, 13th June, 2023 (WAM) — The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, EAD, has issued Decision No. (4) of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, EAD, for 2023 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The aim of this is to support recreational fishing and promote the sport of ocean fishing in the emirate.
The provisions of the decision will apply to recreational fishermen and organizers of ocean fishing competitions in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The decision prohibits recreational fishing and the organization of ocean fishing competitions in emirate waters without an EAD permit.
The decision states that recreational fishing is permitted for anglers or pleasure boat users. Recreational fishing equipment may include practice freediving lines and hooks or spearguns, or any other method specified by the EAD, while competition ocean fishing is restricted to legal persons working in the field of marine activity.
The decision sets out the terms and conditions for obtaining a recreational fishing license: applicants must not be under the age of 18; however, persons under that age are permitted to accompany an adult holding a valid recreational fishing license. A request for a permit must be submitted to the EAD on the relevant form together with the necessary documents. Applications for annual or weekly recreational fishing permits can be submitted through the ‘Tamm’ Government Services Portal.
In order to obtain a license for a sea fishing competition, the decision states that the sponsor shall be responsible for ensuring the safety of the event by providing the necessary security arrangements, tools and equipment and any other requirements stipulated by the EAD. Applications must be submitted to the EAD on the relevant form, together with relevant documents, and information on the venue, date and time of the proposed competition. In addition, the sponsor must specify the target species, the type and quantity of fishing gear and gear used in the competition, and the number of participants. Applications must also state what they plan to do with the fish caught and any other details the applicant deems relevant.
The licensee must abide by the terms and conditions set forth by the EAD in the fishing license or tournament fishing license, whether in regard to number of people, number of trips, fishing locations, type and amount of fish and marine species. capture, environmental requirements, health and safety or any other relevant information.
The internationally recognized diving flag must also be displayed when spearfishing. When spearfishing, there must be a minimum of three (3) people on board (a driver and two speargun recreational license holders). Upon completion of a fishing trip, a report containing details of the species and quantity of fish caught should be submitted to the EAD by means specified by the agency.
A valid recreational fishing license or competition ocean fishing license must be presented upon request by EAD employees or other competent authorities. This also applies to holders of internationally recognized freediving licenses.
A recreational fishing license or a competitive sea fishing license may only be used by the licensee and may not be used by anyone other than the licensee. Caught fish or marine species must not be handled until returned to land or at anchorage or landing area, and must not be sold. In addition, no marine species or any part thereof may be captured or kept for ornamental purposes.
Regarding the species and quantities allowed for recreational fishing, the decision refers to Ministerial Resolution No. 580 of 2015, which prohibits the fishing, sale and marketing of fish of smaller sizes below the minimum length permitted, as well as any regulation of fishing Relevant legislative season or size, and adhere to the daily catch limit of 24 species of fish allowed per person and per boat as stipulated in the decision.
The decision also prohibits fishing, trading, keeping or causing damage to any type of marine aquatic life specified in the decision, which includes: koi, yellow grouper, red coral, seahorse fish, parrot fish, sharks and various stingrays, Turtles, whales and dolphins, dugongs and corals.
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