Sunken dhow in Mina Zayed ‘could be an environmental concern’

The fishing boat is visible from the surface and its bow section is about three feet above water – yet officials say they know nothing about it.

The sunken fishing dhow that now litters the harbour at Mina Zayed. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // A 50-foot-long fishing boat that sank in the harbour at Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi is causing environmental and business concerns.

It is visible from the surface and its bow section is about three feet above water – yet officials say they know nothing about it.

It is clearly rotting and debris from the vessel – which is considered to be a grave environmental hazard, and could affect marine species – now litters the surrounding water.

During a visit to Mina Zayed fishing harbour on Monday, The National discovered that the dhow sunk nearly four months ago and other fishing dhows are now anchored on top of it.

Fisherman R Tandle, who has been in the business for 25 years, said: “It’s been about three to four months since it sank here. It was very old. Now it has started shattering.

“This old boat was left unattended for a few years, then suddenly it broke and sunk. Nobody has so far come to clean it,” Mr Tandle said.

He said that more than 50 unused and ageing lansh (wooden fishing boats) were anchored there, while about 150 were in operation.

The vessels are moored behind the Abu Dhabi Fishermen Cooperative Society’s office, but marine debris has not yet been cleared.

The society said it was unaware of the sunken dhow and said all operations were normal.

Ali Mohammed Al Mansoury, general manager of the society, said: "We don't have any matter with the old lansh."

According to local fishermen, the old dhow was moored there for years when it collapsed.

Mr Tandle said nobody was injured when the old dhow sank because it was empty.

Another fisherman, M Bhai, said: “When the wind was blowing it smashed against the concrete wall of the harbour and gradually developed holes and sunk in front of us.”

Mr Bhai said that the old boat could be at least 40 years old.

“Immediately after the accident, we had informed the cooperative society, they came, inspected and left. Since then nobody has come to clean it [the debris],” he said.

R Patel, who has lived in the UAE for 10 years, said there were many old fishing vessels moored there and if they were moved it would allow them to accommodate more working dhows.

Once boats grow old, owners abandon them, removing engines and other valuables and obtaining a new licence and cancelling the old one, Mr Patel said.

He said about two years ago a similar dhow also sank but that one was removed. He said it was the fishermen society’s responsibility to inspect and clear the mess.

Dr Saif Al Ghais, executive director of the Environmental Authority of Ras Al Khaimah, said the sunken dhow was an environmental concern. “If the ship spills oil [into the water] it can damage the marine environment badly.

“But as the dhows are made of wood, after some time that wood starts melting into the water and can’t harm the sea. But it depends on the location it sank. If it’s a habitat of marine species or coral reef it can damage them,” Dr Al Ghais said. “It definitely should be investigated and removed immediately.”

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi did not reply to The National's questions sent to them last week.