Several species of sharks have become endangered because of overfishing. Antonie Robertson / The National
Several species of sharks have become endangered because of overfishing. Antonie Robertson / The National
Several species of sharks have become endangered because of overfishing. Antonie Robertson / The National
Several species of sharks have become endangered because of overfishing. Antonie Robertson / The National

Environment

UAE's seasonal ban on shark fishing begins

Temporary measure aims to replenish shark populations in the country's waters

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan
Dubai

February 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A five-month ban on shark fishing in the UAE's waters begins on Monday, March 1, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced.

The ban on fishing sharks and rays will continue until the end of June, to coincide with their breeding season and allow diminished populations to recover.

Shark fishing is only allowed to be carried out in the Emirates from July until February by people with registered lynch boats and licensed equipment.

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“The seasonal ban on shark fishing and trade aligns with the ministry’s strategic goal of preserving ecosystems and marine life, as it helps sustain the population of the species through giving them time to reproduce,” said Halima Al Jasmi, who leads the fisheries section at the ministry.

She said the ruling, which was brought into effect in 2014, was an effective tool for alleviating the pressure on sharks cause by overfishing and habitat degradation.

The same legislation permanently prohibits the import and re-exportation of shark fins – fresh, frozen, dried, salted, smoked, canned, or in any other form.

Fins imported for scientific purposes are excluded from the legislation, subject to approval by the ministry.

When introducing the legislation, a senior ministry representative said the shark population had been in steady decline for several years because of overfishing.

Sharks are valued for their fins, meat and gill plates, the representative said.

"There are 43 shark species and 29 ray species recorded in the UAE's waters, with 42 per cent of these considered endangered as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species."

Some of the species of sharks found in the UAE:

Lemon shark. Typically found in tropical and coastal waters, Sicklefin lemon sharks can grow up to 3.5m. They are ranked as vulnerable by the IUCN. Valerie Macon / AFP
Lemon shark. Typically found in tropical and coastal waters, Sicklefin lemon sharks can grow up to 3.5m. They are ranked as vulnerable by the IUCN. Valerie Macon / AFP
Giant Guitarfish. A critically endangered species, the guitarfish is at great threat from pollution, fishing and habitat destruction. Fishing them is banned all year round in the UAE. Andrey Nekrasov / Zuma Wire
Giant Guitarfish. A critically endangered species, the guitarfish is at great threat from pollution, fishing and habitat destruction. Fishing them is banned all year round in the UAE. Andrey Nekrasov / Zuma Wire
Small tooth sawfish. This large species takes its name from its long, narrow snout, which is lined with sharp teeth – resembling a saw. Sawfish fishing is banned throughout the year in the UAE as it is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Torsten Blackwood / AFP
Small tooth sawfish. This large species takes its name from its long, narrow snout, which is lined with sharp teeth – resembling a saw. Sawfish fishing is banned throughout the year in the UAE as it is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Torsten Blackwood / AFP
Whitetip reef sharks typically do not grow longer than 1 metre. They are one of the most common sharks in the Arabian Gulf but are still listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Alamy
Whitetip reef sharks typically do not grow longer than 1 metre. They are one of the most common sharks in the Arabian Gulf but are still listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Alamy
The blacktip reef shark can grow up to 2 metres and are identified by their black tipped fins, They prefer shallow waters and are listed as near threatened by the IUCN. Getty
The blacktip reef shark can grow up to 2 metres and are identified by their black tipped fins, They prefer shallow waters and are listed as near threatened by the IUCN. Getty
The great hammerhead can grow up to 6 metres and can swim up to 40kph. They are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Norbert Wu / Science Faction / Corbis
The great hammerhead can grow up to 6 metres and can swim up to 40kph. They are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Norbert Wu / Science Faction / Corbis
Whale sharks are known as the gentle giants of the sea because they are the biggest species of sny fish. The filter feeders grow up to 12m long and are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Whale sharks are known as the gentle giants of the sea because they are the biggest species of sny fish. The filter feeders grow up to 12m long and are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
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Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

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Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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On Women's Day
On Women's Day
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Tomorrow 2021
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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
Mane points for safe home colouring
  • Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
  • Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
  • When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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Price: From Dh149,900

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAEEnvironment