The Tabuk border guards apprehend violators of maritime security and safety regulations

As part of the ongoing and intensive security efforts undertaken by the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enforce order and protect the coasts, the coastal patrols of the Border Guard in Haql Governorate in the Tabuk region were able to detect and apprehend violations related to maritime regulations.

Details of the arrest of violators in Haql Governorate

The General Directorate of Border Guards announced that its coastal patrols in the Tabuk region, specifically in Haql Governorate, apprehended two residents, one Indian and one Filipino. The arrests were made due to their blatant violation of the safety and security regulations governing maritime activities in the Kingdom's territorial waters. It was determined that the two men were fishing without the required permits, necessitating their detention and the application of all applicable legal procedures. They were then referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and the imposition of the prescribed penalties.

The importance of adhering to maritime safety and security regulations

The safety and security regulations for those engaged in maritime activities are a cornerstone for ensuring the safety of sea users and regulating fishing and recreational operations. These regulations aim to prevent haphazard maritime activities and ensure that all practitioners operate within a legal framework that allows relevant authorities to effectively monitor the coastlines. Obtaining a fishing permit is not merely a routine procedure; it is a security and environmental requirement that ensures the identification of practitioners and their locations, thus facilitating search and rescue operations in emergencies and preventing the exploitation of the sea for illegal activities.

Protecting water resources and the marine environment

These monitoring efforts are consistent with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on protecting the environment and wildlife. Unauthorized fishing is often linked to destructive fishing practices that can damage coral reefs and deplete fish stocks, threatening the ecological balance of the Red Sea, one of the world's richest seas in terms of biodiversity. Therefore, enforcing penalties against violators is a necessary step to deter any transgressions that could harm living aquatic resources, which are a national heritage that must be preserved for future generations.

Reporting channels and social responsibility

In closing, the General Directorate of Border Guards urged all citizens and residents to fully comply with regulations and instructions, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in maintaining security and protecting the environment. It called on everyone to report any suspicious activity or violations that constitute an attack on the environment or wildlife, or a breach of security regulations, by contacting the following numbers:

• (911) In the regions of Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
• (994) , (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.

The relevant authorities confirmed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality, without any legal responsibility being imposed on the reporter, in order to reinforce the principle of “the citizen is the first line of defense.”.