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5 nabbed for fishing at artificial caves in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah - The caves are meant to preserve and help grow the fish of the emirate

Five men were arrested for fishing in areas near the recently-set up artificial caves in Ras Al Khaimah by the Environment Protection and Development Authority.
Director of the authority Dr Saif Al Ghais said these caves are meant to preserve and help grow the fish of the emirate. "Therefore, fishing is strictly banned at or near these artificial caves."
Sounding a stern warning, he said that the licences of these fishermen would be seized if the violation is repeated.
"We have recently offloaded 700 artificial caves in three areas in the RAK sea, including Al Marjan island, Al Rams sea, and Al Muairidh."
Fishing has been strictly banned at all protected marine areas since the nature of the fishes attracted to these caves is being studied, he underlined.
"The ongoing study will help streamline the fishing activities in all the marine areas of the emirate."
The authority would also soon announce a number of initiatives for the benefit of the fishermen and for preserving the fishery of the emirate, Dr Ghais said.
"The artificial caves have significantly helped increase the reproduction of Al Bayah, Al Zaridi, and Al Qabid fishes that feed on planktons, phytoplankton, and coral reefs there."
Late in September, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment started offloading artificial caves in the fishing waters off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah.
Salah Al Rayssi, director of the fisheries sustainability department at the ministry, said the artificial caves will bring fishing areas closer to the shore, while reducing the cost of daily fishing trips and the maintenance frequency of fishing boats and engines.
"The ministry plans to instal 1,000 caves across the UAE by the end of 2017 using eco-friendly materials and position them in areas identified by the ministry in collaboration with environment authorities concerned."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com