ABU DHABI // The cooler winter weather may be a blessing for many, but for Abu Dhabi’s fishermen it heralds the most dangerous conditions of the year.
Working about 200km offshore, fishermen face rising winds and fog, making each voyage a life-threatening endeavour.
But the weather is not the only threat. Declining fish stocks, shrinking profits and the rising cost of equipment also stifle their endeavours.
The capital’s wooden trawlers can expect catches worth between Dh5,000 and Dh15,000 depending on the conditions, with the best catches occasionally bringing in as much as Dh20,000.
“When we say about the total amount of fish we sell it would seem that we earn too much. That’s not true, in fact, the cost of fishing equipment has risen,” said Indian Krishna Mittal, 56.
“One gargoor [iron fishing net] roughly costs Dh100 and we carry up to 100 at a time. Every six months we have to change these. Ship maintenance, diesel and other equipment costs about Dh4,000 for each trip.”
One lansh, or wooden fishing boat, carries four or five people and they can each expect Dh1,000 if the catch is good, otherwise they have to be content with Dh700 to Dh800 a trip.
Half of the earnings from a trip goes to the ship’s owner and Dh2,000 a trip is paid to an Emirati who must travel with the vessel, said Mr Mittal, who has been in the business for 30 years.
Mr Mittal said that the prices for the nets should be lowered.
K Buta, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 34 years, said that at this time of year unpredictable weather and fierce winds put their boats at risk of capsizing.
“In case of low visibility or fog, which is very dangerous, we stop sailing and switch warning signals on,” Mr Buta, 57, said.
In summer he said they earned much less because of small catches while in winter they were able to save a little because catches were larger, although that drove prices down too.
The fishing boats are often used as permanent accommodation for the fishermen, even when in port. Most crew do not have rooms and say they are allowed to spend nights on the ship while moored at Mina Zayed’s fishing harbour.
While in port, there is also a risk that high winds will cause the tightly packed boats to smash into each other, causing damage and more expense.
Mr Mittal called for regulations to ensure sufficient distance was left between boats while moored. He suggested six metres should be enough.
The Abu Dhabi Fishermen Cooperative keeps its members informed about unsettled conditions and issues weather warnings as they arise.
The society supports more than 400 members and 95 per cent of the active fishermen in the emirate are affiliated.
Ali Al Mansouri, general manager of the society, said that the prices for gargoors were normal and that they had not revised or increased them.
The society supports fishermen by providing different tools and we also give them loans, Mr Al Mansouri said. “We keep informing all operators to stay away in windy and bad weather conditions,” he said.
anwar@thenational.ae
