Border guards in Medina arrest violators of unauthorized hunting regulations

Ongoing efforts to enforce regulations and protect the marine environment

As part of its ongoing efforts to enforce regulations and protect the marine environment, the official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Border Guards, Colonel Misfer Al-Quraini, announced that coastal patrols of the Border Guards in Madinah apprehended two residents in Yanbu Governorate. Colonel Al-Quraini explained that the two residents, one of Filipino and the other of Pakistani nationality, violated the safety and security regulations for those engaged in maritime activities by fishing without the necessary permits. A quantity of fish was seized from them, and the appropriate legal procedures were initiated against them in coordination with the relevant authorities.

This operation is part of a series of routine operations conducted by the Border Guard along the Kingdom's coasts. These operations aim not only to prevent security breaches but also to protect the natural resources and living marine life that abound in the waters of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. The coasts of the Madinah region, particularly in Yanbu Governorate, hold significant strategic and environmental importance, as they are home to rich biodiversity and unique coral reefs. Protecting these reefs is therefore a top priority for maintaining ecological balance and supporting a sustainable tourism sector.

The importance of adhering to regulations to protect fish stocks

This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to regulations governing maritime activities, which are designed to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and prevent overfishing and unregulated fishing that threatens fish stocks and harms the marine environment. Fishing without a license is not only a legal violation but also an infringement on natural resources belonging to future generations. These strict measures taken by the Coast Guard serve as a deterrent to anyone tempted to exploit marine resources illegally, and they reinforce the rule of law and guarantee equal opportunities for fishermen who comply with the regulations.

The role of the border guards in Medina in achieving sustainability

This operation reflects the pivotal role played by the Border Guard in Madinah and all Border Guard sectors across the Kingdom in achieving the goals of Vision 2030, particularly those related to environmental protection and the development of natural resources. Maintaining a healthy and sustainable marine environment not only supports food security but also opens up broad prospects for developing promising economic sectors such as ecotourism and marine recreation, sectors that rely primarily on the beauty and cleanliness of the marine environment. In this context, the Border Guard urged everyone to adhere to regulations and instructions, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and its role in protecting the nation's natural resources. It also called for the immediate reporting of any violations or encroachments on the marine environment by calling the designated emergency numbers: 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 994 and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Border Guard affirmed that all reports will be treated with complete confidentiality.