2023-12-29 15:02:10
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December 29, 2023
Watan Al-Youm: The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority decided to stop fishing in its various forms (professional and recreational) for a period of 4 months.
The authority said that the cessation of fishing in the Gulf of Aqaba begins from the morning of the first Monday of January of next year, until the evening of Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
She added that the suspension and prevention targets the fishing of endemic fish species, as the period of prevention specified for these fish species, scientifically and environmentally, is one of the most important periods in their life cycle for laying eggs and reproduction.
She indicated that this comes to preserve the fish wealth in the Gulf of Aqaba and increase their reproduction, which reflects the sustainability of the fish stock and the preservation of its unique marine ecosystems, and based on the instructions for regulating fishing and aquatic life in the Gulf of Aqaba No. (G/1) of 2020 and its annexes.
She stressed that there has been an agreement and commitment by all parties to prevent the fishing of all types of endemic fish, whether from inshore or deep waters and in all locations where fishing is permitted, and to allow licensed fishermen (professional and licensed) and pleasure boats (recreational fishing) to catch migratory fish only during this period, which is : Tuna fish of all kinds (cambroon, filament, shakan) and mare fish, as well as prohibiting the practice of fishing at all by tourist and glass-bottomed boats and absolutely prohibiting fishing by amateurs and visitors from the beach in all locations, within the boundaries of the Aqaba Marine Reserve.
It was also agreed to ban the carrying of metal traps (sakhawi) and gill nets (shawarat) on boats licensed for professional and recreational fishing, and only nets designated for collecting and catching bait, in addition to lines and hooks, are allowed to be carried.
Payment of financial compensation
The authority indicated that it would pay financial compensation to the professional and duly licensed fisherman in exchange for not fishing or sailing at all during the period specified for stopping fishing.
The authority stressed the implementation of the legal penalties stipulated in the regulations and instructions for protecting the marine environment against anyone who violates these instructions, impounding the violating boat for a period of one month from the date of the violation and preventing it from sailing.
The Authority also stresses the need to cooperate with it in implementing instructions and decisions by citizens and practitioners of professional and recreational fishing, which will reflect positively on the fishing sector in Aqaba, as it will provide suitable quantities of fishing during the coming months.
The authority said in a statement that this decision will enhance the sustainability of the unique marine ecosystems with their biodiversity in the Gulf of Aqaba and in the Aqaba Marine Reserve.
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