Banned Sheri, Safi fish seized from Ras Al Khaimah shop

Ras Al Khaimah - The shop owner claimed that he did not go fishing for the banned fish or ask any fishermen to do so.

Fishing of Sheri and Safi fish is banned in March and April across the UAE to help boost the production and growth of these popular local fish. Some fishermen and sellers, however, insist on breaking the rule.
"The entire quantities of the Sheri and Safi fish found in the shop were confiscated, and the shop owner was fined for breaching the ban decree issued by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment."
The shop owner claimed that he did not go fishing for the banned tfish or asked any fishermen to do so. "I got this amount from an unidentified person, and find it a good value for money."
"All fishermen in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah have, however, shown complete observance of Sheri and Safi fish ban, and not a single violation has been reported so far."
Official records show that the RAK Environment Protection and Development Authority stopped 15 fishermen and fish sellers with different amounts of the banned fish in the markets of the emirate last year.
"The seized fish was so small and should not have been fished that early," he said, noting that some other fishermen were nabbed while fishing at prohibited areas. "These sites were specified for the development of fish resources."
The erring fishermen were ordered to pay fines, were forced to sign undertaking letters to never repeat the same violation again and show compliance with the set rules, Dr. Ghais elaborated.
Recently, the Authority has created over 600 artificial caves at various marine areas of the emirate for growing and developing the fish resources here, he disclosed. "We are giving much attention to the local fish."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah