RIYADH, 22 July — The Ministry of Agriculture plans to enforce new regulations to govern fishing activities in the Kingdom’s territorial waters.
Under the regulations, which will come into effect shortly, licenses will be issued to individuals and establishments engaged in fishing activities in the country. The ministry also plans to revise measures regarding penalties for violating the fishing regulations.
The new regulations, which will revoke decade-old laws, have been formulated to suit advanced fishing techniques used by an increasing number of fishing companies that employ expatriate workers in large numbers. Several government agencies such as the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, Coast Guards, and Marine Resources Department in the Agricultural Ministry participated in setting out the new regulations.
“The regulations, which are in the final stage of discussion, will be released shortly after getting endorsement from the ministry,” Madani Gazzaz, director general of the Marine Resources Department, said. He added that strict monitoring was needed to protect the country’s marine resources in the backdrop of the advanced techniques being employed in fishing.
The department, with the help of security authorities, has arrested four Filipino expatriates who poisoned seawater with an internationally banned toxic substance to catch fish at Jeddah’s northern Corniche. The diving gear and poison found with them were seized.
The new regulations stipulate the use of safe fishing methods and will control random fishing by amateurs, he added.
