With an aim to promote the sustainability of fish stock for future generations, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led the releasing of several fish into the waters of marine protected areas in Dibba, Fujairah. The big sized fish weighing 150g included Rhabdosargus sarba (Qabit) and finned black seabream (Sha'am) fish.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in collaboration with 'Fish Farm', will release 30,000 fish into the marine protected areas of each emirate.

The move comes within the framework of the 'Year of Giving' initiative launched by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in line with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has worked with municipalities and environmental bodies to coordinate the release of the fish in Ras Al Khor, Umm Al Quwain, Jebel Ali Marine Park in Dubai, Al Qurum Park in Abu Dhabi, Bird Island in Fujairah, Al Rams Creek in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Zorah Natural Reserve in Ajman and in Sharjah.

The ministry is "determined to ensure the sustainability of the UAE's living marine resources and to support the food security in the country through launching various initiatives, including the identification of commercial fish species that are being exploited, as well as to develop the local fish species breeding programme and provide technical services and advice to local fish farms".

Source: Khaleej Times