Al-Lith Environment: Intensive monitoring campaign on marine fishing and protection of fish stocks
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate has begun implementing an extensive field campaign to monitor and ensure compliance with marine fishing activities, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect fish stocks and regulate fishing practices, in order to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of marine resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The inspection campaign targeted several key marinas in the governorate, including Al-Laith Marina, Al-Masna' Marina, Majirmah Marina, Al-Ghalah Marina, and Samar Marina. Specialized teams conducted intensive field visits to ensure fishermen's compliance with regulations and instructions, and to inspect fishing gear to guarantee its conformity to standards that prevent harm to the marine environment.
Promoting compliance and protecting the marine environment
This campaign primarily aims to monitor violations and enforce regulations, as well as promote a culture of compliance among fishermen and other sea users. Through these patrols, the Ministry seeks to raise awareness about the importance of adhering to sustainable fishing practices and avoiding destructive fishing methods that deplete fish stocks and damage coral reefs, thus directly contributing to maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the sustainability of resources for future generations.
The strategic importance of the fisheries sector
These field operations align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on the fisheries sector as a vital pillar of food security and the national economy. Al-Lith Governorate, with its strategic location on the Red Sea coast, is one of the most important areas rich in marine biodiversity, making monitoring crucial to ensuring continued fish production and supporting the local economy.
The Ministry is continuously working to develop its legislative and regulatory framework to curb harmful practices such as fishing during closed seasons or the use of illegal nets, as these practices lead to the degradation of the marine environment and reduce the breeding opportunities for commercially important fish species. Therefore, tightening controls at the aforementioned marinas is a proactive step to protect this vital natural resource.
Official statement and confirmation of commitment
For his part, the director of the Ministry's office in Al-Lith Governorate, Engineer Yahya Al-Mahabi, confirmed that this campaign comes within the framework of implementing the Ministry's plans aimed at protecting natural resources and enhancing the efficiency of field monitoring. Al-Mahabi pointed out that supporting the long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector requires concerted efforts between regulatory bodies and fishermen to ensure a healthy and productive marine environment, stressing that monitoring tours will continue to ensure full implementation of regulations.
