Sharjah24: Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) announced that the number of marine violations related to recreational fishing between January and October of the current year reached 276 breaches.
The violations were closely monitored by the Marine Sustainability Management teams at the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority and were reported as 34 violations in January, 46 in February, 43 in March, 4 in June, 2 in July, 18 in August, 76 in September and 53 violations in October.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said, “We always emphasise that the authority’s teams concerned with monitoring and editing violations carry out the tasks entrusted to them with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism, which underpins the importance and necessity of adhering to the provisions of the law regulating the practice of recreational fishing. This regulates hunting in public places and helps limit the detrimental effect of hobbyists, whose actions, behaviors, activities can destroy or degrade the natural environment, harm marine life, or demolish its aesthetic scene."
Noting that the goal is not an abstract financial punishment, rather it is a commitment to the law and an affirmation of the importance of environmental awareness for all members of society, and therefore there are always instructions, guidelines and clarifications by the teams of the competent authority, as it continuously works to promote and consolidate environmental awareness in society, in a way that contributes to achieving the authority's vision of preserving the environment and biodiversity.
To obtain a recreational fishing license, applicants must: be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, or have a valid residence in the Emirate of Sharjah, and be at least 18 years old. A resident in another emirate is eligible to apply for a weekly or monthly license.
The recreational fishing license can be obtained for an individual or a family and is divided into three categories: weekly, monthly or annual recreational fishing license.
The issuing of recreational fishing licenses resumed from early September after the issuance of licenses was temporarily stopped due to the Corona pandemic (Covid-19) in April 2020. In addition, the value of the individual permit fees for a week is 30 dirhams, 110 dirhams for one month, and 260 dirhams for a year. The family permit costs 50 dirhams for one week, 160 dirhams for one month, and 410 dirhams for a year.
The Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority seeks to protect the environment, natural reserves, wildlife and their biological diversity by conducting scientific studies and research and implementing measures for pollution control.
In addition the Authority seeks to increase awareness by educating individuals on the principles of sustainable development that could help preserve natural environmental resources, beneficial for the use and purpose of study among future generations.
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