Seizure of prohibited fishing gear in Abhur: Efforts to protect the marine environment
As part of ongoing efforts to protect wildlife and marine life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Makkah region, represented by the Fisheries Department of the Agriculture Administration, was able to detect certain fishing violations on the coasts of the Abhur region.
This operation came as an immediate response to a report received from the Border Guard Center in Abhar, stating that there was a group of picnickers practicing fishing using prohibited tools, specifically spearguns, which are prohibited from being used in places and times other than those designated or without proper permits, due to their danger and direct impact on the marine environment.
Details of the process and regulatory procedures
The Ministry's branch of the Agriculture Department explained that upon receiving the report, specialized teams were dispatched to the location to investigate the incident. In direct coordination with the Border Guard, the violators were apprehended in possession of the prohibited equipment. The teams prepared a joint report documenting the incident, and all the prohibited equipment (spearguns) was confiscated in preparation for applying the penalties stipulated in the Law on Fishing, Investment, and Protection of Living Aquatic Resources and its implementing regulations.
Protecting fish stocks: a strategic priority
Commenting on the incident, the Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Makkah region, Engineer Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Dughais, affirmed that the Ministry gives utmost importance to protecting fish stocks. He indicated that these efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at preventing harmful practices that disrupt the delicate ecological balance in the Red Sea, emphasizing that the Ministry will not hesitate to enforce regulations against anyone who attempts to tamper with natural resources.
The importance of adhering to environmental regulations
These seizures are of particular importance in light of the Kingdom’s general direction towards promoting environmental sustainability in accordance with Vision 2030. Illegal fishing or the use of unauthorized tools such as spearguns in recreational areas or shallow areas is a danger that threatens coral reefs and small fish, negatively affecting biodiversity.
The ministry is constantly working on:
- Intensifying monitoring patrols on the coasts and boat marinas.
- Strengthening security cooperation with the border guards to apprehend violators.
- Raising awareness among hikers and fishermen about the importance of using sustainable fishing tools (such as fishing rods) and avoiding tools that are destructive to the environment.
An invitation to visitors and picnickers
Engineer Al-Daghis concluded his statement by urging all beachgoers, picnickers, and fishing enthusiasts to fully comply with the regulations and instructions issued by the Ministry. He appealed to everyone to use only authorized equipment and to contribute to preserving natural resources to ensure their sustainability for future generations, emphasizing that community awareness is the first line of defense for protecting the Kingdom's marine environment.
