A step towards regulating the fishing sector in the Kingdom
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced the launch of a new electronic service for issuing and renewing artisanal fishing licenses for Saudi citizens through its digital platform, “Nama.” This step comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts to regulate the marine fishing sector, support professional fishermen, and enable them to practice their profession in a regulated and sustainable manner, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to diversify the national economy and enhance food security.
Historical context and importance of the fishing sector
Historically, artisanal fishing has been an integral part of the economic and cultural heritage of the Kingdom's coastal regions along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. For decades, this profession has been a primary source of livelihood for thousands of families. With economic and environmental developments, the need has arisen to modernize the regulations and laws governing this vital sector to ensure its sustainability and protect fish stocks from overfishing and unregulated fishing. The new measures aim to transform this traditional sector into a more organized one that contributes more effectively to the GDP and preserves natural resources for future generations.
Key requirements and conditions for obtaining a license
The ministry has established a set of conditions that applicants for artisanal fishing licenses must meet, aimed at ensuring that support is directed to the intended groups. These conditions include:
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- To be a holder of a valid national identity card.
- He must not have any other valid and uncancelled hunting license in any of the regions of the Kingdom.
- His registered occupation in the civil registry must be “fisherman”, “self-employed”, or “retired”.
Special conditions for employees in the public and private sectors
In a notable move aimed at supporting low-income earners, the Ministry has established specific criteria for employees wishing to obtain a fishing license as a supplementary source of income. Government employees at grade five and below are eligible to apply, while private sector employees must have a monthly salary registered with social security not exceeding 6,000 Saudi Riyals. In both cases, applicants must submit explicit approval from their employer authorizing them to engage in fishing.
Expected impact of the new decisions
These regulations are expected to have multiple positive impacts at both the local and economic levels. Locally, they will formalize the fishing profession and provide accurate data on the number of fishermen and their boats, thus facilitating better development plans for the sector. Economically, this step will enhance the Kingdom's food security by increasing domestic fish production and reducing reliance on imports. Furthermore, regulating the sector will encourage investment and open new avenues for developing related industries, while ensuring the protection of the marine environment and fish stocks through the implementation of sustainable fishing standards.
