Sheri, Safi fish return to Dubai markets after 2-month ban

Sheri and Safi fish will return to Dubai markets tomorrow (May 1) after a two-month ban imposed by Dubai Municipality.

The Ministerial Decree No. 501 of 2015 regulates fishing and marketing of these fish in their breeding season during the period from March 1 to April 30 of each year.

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the embargo period ended without violations and 100 per cent commitment in all markets, shopping malls and other outlets.

"This is an evidence of their keenness to preserve the emirate's fish wealth and prevent its depletion. The objectives of the ban seemed clear to them and they were keen to implement the decision, not out of fear of violations, but to increase the stock of fish of these two species to benefit them after the embargo period," said Lootah.

He said Dubai Municipality teams worked together with the concerned officials in the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment to complete the plan of control and inspection of fish markets and outlets in the Emirate of Dubai to enforce the decision.

Eng. Alia Al Harmoudi, Director of Environment Department said inspection campaigns took place during the months of March and April on 400 fish benches at the fish markets in Deira and at the Fishermen's Port at Umm Suqeim.

"Shops selling fresh fish in 42 shopping centers were also inspected. During inspections we tried to ascertain the extent of the compliance by the fishermen and sellers to all rules and regulations regarding the protection and development of fish wealth," said Al Harmoudi.

Posters were distributed that shows the types of fishes that are banned for catching and marketing.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com