As part of the ongoing security and monitoring efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect its maritime borders and preserve its natural resources, the coastal patrols of the Border Guard in Al-Qunfudhah Governorate in the Makkah Region were able to apprehend (5) Egyptian residents for committing clear violations of the security and safety regulations for those practicing maritime activities in the Kingdom.
The relevant authorities explained that the operation was carried out after the violators were observed fishing in territorial waters without the necessary official permits. Quantities of fish caught illegally were found in their possession, prompting immediate intervention by coastal patrols. All necessary legal procedures were taken against them, and they were referred, in coordination with the competent authorities, for further investigation and the application of the penalties stipulated by law.
The importance of adhering to fishing permits and maritime regulations
This operation comes within the framework of the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Border Guards' commitment to strictly enforcing regulations to ensure the security and safety of maritime areas. The Maritime Safety and Security Regulations a cornerstone for regulating fishing and recreational activities in Saudi waters. Obtaining permits is not merely an administrative procedure, but a vital regulatory tool aimed at identifying sea users, ensuring their safety, and verifying the seaworthiness of the vessels used.
Furthermore, these regulations aim to protect the marine environment of the Red Sea, which is one of the world's richest marine environments in terms of biodiversity. Unauthorized or overfishing poses a direct threat to fish stocks and depletes the living aquatic resources that the Kingdom seeks to preserve and develop as part of its Vision 2030 goals related to environmental sustainability and food security.
Call for reporting and community cooperation
In closing, the General Directorate of Border Guards urged all citizens, residents, and visitors to fully comply with the regulations and instructions pertaining to fishing and marine recreation, and to ensure they obtain the necessary permits from the authorized bodies before setting sail. The Directorate emphasized that it will not tolerate any violations of these regulations.
It also called on everyone to participate in protecting the homeland and its resources by reporting any suspected cases or violations that constitute an attack on the environment, wildlife, or public security, through the following official communication channels:
- Call (911) in the areas of Makkah, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Madinah.
- Call the numbers (994) , (999) and (996) in the rest of the Kingdom.
Security authorities confirmed that all reports will be treated with complete confidentiality, without any legal responsibility falling on the informant, in order to reinforce the principle of “the citizen is the first line of defense.”.
