The Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority, CICPA, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining safety and protecting the critical infrastructure of the coast of the country, has organised awareness meetings for fishermen all over the UAE, within the framework of its "Bihar" campaign.

Entitled, "Follow the Rules to Fish Safely", the meetings aimed to promote awareness of maritime safety and the laws and regulations in force, and to learn about fishermen’s suggestions and complaints.

The meetings are part of CICPA's contribution to enhance the awareness of fishermen to be active contributors in the protection of the marine environment. The meetings also assert the necessity to adhere to the concepts of protecting the marine environment by avoiding fishing in prohibited areas and not using prohibited fishing equipment.

The authority makes unremitting efforts in order to promote maritime safety and security and the preservation of the marine environment in order to make such valuable concepts inherent values to all sea goers, including fishermen.

Among the topics discussed during the meetings are ensuring the boat’s safety before sailing, the necessity of having a working maritime safety device, importance of the availability of a life jacket for each person on the boat, the presence of torches to be used in case of emergency to attract attention, and ensuring that there is a nautical radio on board that supports VHF-Channel 16 to hear the weather conditions.

The meetings also raised awareness on the prohibition of the use of banned material, nets, and equipment for fishing living aquatic resources to avoid fines and legal violations. Also, the prohibited practice of extracting shellfish, sponges, and coral from the bottom of the sea. The bans on fishing turtles, dolphins, and marine mammals of all kinds, and killing, catching, possessing, or trading in marine birds, were also discussed.