Regulations for issuing new artisanal fishing licenses in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced the launch of a new electronic service aimed at streamlining the process of issuing artisanal fishing licenses to Saudi citizens. This strategic step comes as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to regulate the marine fishing sector and enable fishermen to practice their profession systematically and easily through the "Nama" electronic platform, thus contributing to improving the efficiency of government services provided to beneficiaries.
The historical roots of the fishing profession in the Kingdom
Fishing is one of the oldest professions practiced by the inhabitants of the coastal regions of the Arabian Peninsula, whether on the shores of the Arabian Gulf to the east or the Red Sea to the west. Historically, this profession constituted a primary source of livelihood and a backbone of the local communities' economies before the discovery of oil. In the modern era, with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the wise leadership has given considerable attention to the fisheries sector, not only to preserve this cultural and historical heritage, but also to transform it into a sustainable industry that contributes to achieving national food security, diversifying income sources, and reducing dependence on imports.
Terms and conditions for issuing artisanal fishing licenses
The Ministry explained that the new service allows beneficiaries to fish using boats no longer than 20 meters, after completing the boat ownership transfer procedures stipulated by the regulations. This service targets individuals holding a valid "Saudi Seaman" license issued more than a year ago, or those holding a craft license under the Saudization system. To ensure acceptance of applications for craft fishing licenses, the Ministry stipulated that applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid national identity card, and not hold any other uncancelled fishing license in any region of the Kingdom. Applicants must also be registered as fishermen, self-employed, or retired to ensure the service is accurately directed to the intended beneficiaries.
Employee exceptions and maximum salary limits for the private sector
In a move aimed at supporting low-income individuals and improving their standard of living, new regulations allow government employees in grade five and below, as well as private sector employees whose salaries do not exceed 6,000 riyals, to benefit from this service. This requires explicit written approval from the employer, reflecting the flexibility of the regulations and their commitment to providing citizens with additional income opportunities through regulated and standardized means that do not conflict with their primary jobs.
Steps for online application and medical examination
The ministry indicated that the application process is conducted electronically through a series of steps, beginning with acceptance of the user agreement on the “Nama” platform and ending with the applicant receiving a tracking number to monitor the application status. It emphasized the necessity of uploading a personal photo to the platform's profile page beforehand to ensure its automatic appearance on the medical examination form. The ministry also stressed the importance of attaching the required documents, including the medical examination report, the Border Guard travel record, and a civil status extract to verify occupation and successfully complete the issuance process.
The expected impact of regulating the marine fishing sector
This new regulation is of paramount importance and will have a wide-ranging positive impact. Domestically, it will contribute to protecting the marine environment from overfishing, supporting artisanal fishermen, and creating new job opportunities for Saudi youth. Regionally, the Kingdom's commitment to implementing strict and sustainable standards in the fishing sector strengthens efforts to protect biodiversity in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Overall, these steps support the stability of local markets and ensure the availability of fresh seafood products for consumers at competitive prices and high quality, which will positively impact the national economy as a whole.
