FUJAIRAH // Fish prices in Fujairah have jumped by a quarter in two years because of strict fishing laws and an influx of foreign supplies, locals say.
“We are not catching the same amount of fish that we used to before the new fishing regulations, and this has affected the local market and us,” said fisherman Khilfan Hasan, 42. “The market is full with Omani fish.
“They don’t have the same regulations that we have, therefore they control the market.”
Mohammed Ali, 31, another fisherman, said: “Market vendors buy fish in bulk at low price and resell at higher prices, so they control the process, which is becoming a serious issue.
“The demand becomes higher during holidays and at the beginning of each month. We work hard to cover demands but with a small amount of profit.”
The Ministry of Environment and Water rules, including bans on some traps and nets and limits to hours, were brought in more than four years ago to protect fish stocks off Fujairah.
Shoppers are also concerned at the rising prices at Fujairah Fish Market. They say price setting should be regulated.
“We used to buy a kilo of kingfish at Dh35. Now it’s Dh50 and sometimes Dh55,” said Jassim Mohammed, 35.
“Prices are unstable and the Asian traders are controlling it. There is a pricing board but I have never seen a single price on it.
This market should be supervised by the Government to preserve customers’ rights.”
But one of the sellers said fish prices were determined by consumer demand and availability.
“The prices depend on the season and demand,” said Zubari Kayam, 28, a fish salesman at the market.
“For example, the hammour is between Dh300 and Dh400 now, while we used to sell it at Dh250 two years ago.”
The regulations restrict fishing hours to between 6am and 5pm.
Northern Emirates fishermen have complained that this makes work during summer a lot harder, and that many types of fish they seek are scarcer during daylight.
The regulations say fish traps must be more than 80 centimetres in height, with a circumference of at least 175cm. The openings must be at least 3.8cm by 3.8cm.
Certain types of nets have been banned, as has been catching migratory species.
Support for fishermen has been discussed in detail at the Federal National Council, most recently two weeks ago when Dr Rashid bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, took part in a five-hour debate.
Members of the FNC supportedd encouraging more Emiratis to enter the industry, while Dr bin Fahad said it was more important to protect the country’s sea wealth, which he believes fisherman have depleted.
rhaza@thenational.ae
