The old wharf on the Ras Al Khaimah Creek has got a facelift.

The move is aimed at enhancing the safety of 1,500 fishermen working at the fishing port of the RAK city, according to a top official of the department of public works and services.

"It is being used by all fishermen here in Ras Al Khaimah and nearby ports and areas for more than two decades now."

The renovation of the old wharf was very timely for the fishermen, he added.

"They use the dock to reach their boats and yachts for uploading and offloading their daily fish catch, apart from other necessary works."

The new fishermen bridge has been built heeding to their request, Eng. Al Hammadi said.

"The old wharf was in a bad shape and posed grave risk to fishermen's life," he pointed out. "The new dockside will give a huge boost to the fishing sector in the emirate."

Khalifa Saif Al Muhairi, chairman of the RAK fishermen society, said the 1,500 fishermen using the dockside include 500 Emirati nationals and 1,000 Asians.

"Most of these are from the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and its outskirts, as well as the fishermen from Al Muairidh, Al Jazirat Al Hamra, and Al Rams."

The RAK Municipality had earlier removed all the fiberglass coolers, fridges and freezers of the fishermen fixed along the coast parallel to the RAK fish market based on health grounds.

"The step was taken to streamline the process of freezing fish, preserve city's image and protect the environment," a top municipal official told Khaleej Times.

Modern fridges, coolers, and freezers will be provided to all Emirati fishermen to help them properly keep their daily catches of fish and other marine creatures in a safe and healthy way, he added.

"The new big fridges, coolers and freezers will be spacious enough for the daily fish catch to remain clean, fresh and fit for human consumption."

Source: Khaleej Times