Fall of the Fishing Industry in Fujairah

In the Khaleej Times (1 November 2008) Salah Al Deberkey shares some devastating news about the fishing industry in Fujairah.

Head of the Fujairah Fishermen’s Association, Abdullah Al Dali, is concerned about these problems:

1. The decline in the number of Fujairah fishermen from 416 registered fishermen over the past few years to less than the current 200.

2. The fishing supply has shrunk due to several factors including the more than 30,000 fish that have died due to oil spills and the red tide algae that has affected some areas along the east coast.

3. The low catches have resulted in the fish prices soaring over a 70% increase in the last four months.

4. Some fish species, such as the Al Qobab, were not available any more.

5. Many fishermen are withdrawing from this ancient occupation.

Read the alarming article by Salah Al Deberkey:
A Poser to Fujairah Authorities: Where Have the Fishermen Gone? Khaleej Times, 1 November 2008.

Further Fish or Fishing Articles:
Fujairah Fly-fishing capital of the UAE, FIF, 15 November 2007.
Fujairah: Salt Water Fish Capital of the UAE, ETE, 3 June 2007.
Fishing in Fujairah, ETE, 27 April 2007.
Dead Fish, Oil and the Fujairah Beaches, ETE, 12 April 2007.

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: Fading scenes in Fujairah.