The number of fish sustainably caught in Abu Dhabi’s waters has surged over the past three years.
An index measuring sustainable exploitation ― which is the amount of fishing that does not have a negative impact on marine ecosystems – rose from 8.9 per cent in 2018 to 62.3 per cent in 2021, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi said on Monday.
The statistics show recoveries in average mature stocks of some of the most threatened species, such as hammour, which increased from 15.8 per cent in 2020 to 20.5 per cent over the same period.
It means at least 70 per cent of the emirate’s fish stock could recover sustainably by 2030 if current fishing practices and conservation efforts continue.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the EAD, said the fishing sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi was under pressure due to the over-exploitation of fisheries and their severe depletion.
"This required the implementation of a set of international procedures and standards for the management of fisheries in Abu Dhabi, which today, has succeeded in achieving remarkable results," said Sheikh Hamdan, paying tribute to all involved from fishermen to the Minstry of Climate Change and Environment.
“The measures taken ... will contribute to enabling fish stocks to recover on the long run, allowing at least 70 per cent of our fisheries' resources to recover sustainably by 2030," he said.
The indicator was calculated in 2021 by evaluating 32 species, which represents 98.6 per cent of landings that year.
The percentage of fish old enough to spawn, allowing for the renewal of the population, also increased.
The recovery follows a string of rules introduced by the EAD to save stocks, after a 2019 report highlighted how overzealous fishing practices had wiped out some species and pushed other populations to the brink of collapse.
The EAD survey revealed drops in fish populations of some 200 species due to overfishing, suggesting hammour, sheri and farsh were being fished between three and five times the sustainable limits.
Authorities swung into action and that year banned gargoor nets ― a traditional fishing cage blamed for decimating the stock of hammour and farsh. These stocks at one point declined to just 10 per cent of their adult stock size compared to levels in 1978.
The EAD also banned encircling nets, established marine reserves, implemented seasonal fishing bans, set out minimum catch sizes and also ran awareness campaigns for local fishermen.
"We must preserve the fishing heritage passed on from our ancestors for our future generations, so that they can enjoy the goodness of our land and our cultural and natural heritage," said Sheikh Hamdan.
"We must preserve the fishing heritage passed on from our ancestors for our future generations."
UAE sustainability projects - in pictures
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
McIlroy's recent struggles
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
