Fishermen warned against catching ‘small’ fish

The Environment Department of Dubai Municipality has called on fishermen not to catch fish when they are spawning, or those that have just spawned.

Mohammed Abdel Rahman, head of the Marine Environment and Wildlife, told Al Ittihad newspaper that the UAE federal law prevents fishing of small fish that still have to grow to a size that can help them spawn.

He added that the federal law has considered the seriousness of this practice and prohibited the use of harmful fishing gear, like drift nets, to fisheries.

He added the problem with such nets is they catch a large number of fish without discrimination.

He added “the ministerial resolution No. (16) of 2010 prevented fishing and the sale and marketing of small fish of less than the limit length for 15 species of fish.

He added that violators will be fined Dh1,000 and confiscation of fish, as well suspension of the fishing licence.

Shops selling small fish will also be penalised.

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