Six men nabbed for illegal fishing in Ras Al Khaimah

Representative photo

Ras Al Khaimah - In Tadrees, nylon fishing nets are thrown into the Mashadat areas built deep down the sea as a shelter for fish

A marine patrol of the second squad of the Ras Al Khaimah Coast Guard has nabbed six fishing boats for using a banned fishing technique which goes deep down to the seabed.
The illegal fishing style is locally known as 'Tadrees'. "The banned fishing took place at the Barsha marine area, 12km to the north of Rams city," according to sources.
Initial investigations showed that six Emirati fishermen and Asian workers were on board the seized fishing boats. "This banned style of fishing has an adverse impact on marine life," the sources said.
The erring fishermen's papers were referred to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, Director of the Environment Protection and Development Authority, RAK, said they had earlier banned 'this type of fishing to protect fish wealth, particularly small ones. "We want the fish to have enough time to safely reproduce."
Saeed Al Shehi, an Emirati fisherman, said they agreed with the ban. "It will help put an end to our years-long suffering after losing so many 'Karkurs' and 'Mashads'; two types of fishing nets." All the fishing nets and structures fixed on the seabed were destroyed by this fishing, he added. "The coral reefs, small fish, and other marine creatures were badly affected by this undisciplined fishing." Nasser Mohammed, an Emirati fisherman, said the Tadrees fishing ban has been much awaited. "The national fish wealth has suffered a sharp drop over the last few years due to such illegal practices."
What is Tadrees fishing?

> Nylon fishing nets are thrown into the Mashadat areas built deep down the sea as a shelter for fish
> The nylon nets mostly get stuck in the Mashadat and can only be released by specialist divers
> Such nylon nets can drive the fish away from the area, stop reproduction, and even kill them
> Fish from Mashadat areas should be collected only after they reach a considerable size
> Then another type of net is used to catch them