The Environment Authority is pursuing fishing violators in Thuwal port to protect fish stocks
In a move aimed at enhancing environmental compliance and protecting the Kingdom's natural resources, leaders from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Makkah region conducted a large-scale field inspection tour at Thuwal Port. This tour aimed to enforce strict adherence to marine fishing regulations and ensure that all those working in the sector comply with the regulations, thereby protecting fish stocks from depletion and promoting the sustainability of natural resources, in line with national directives to preserve marine resources.
This field visit was led by the Director of the Agriculture Department, Engineer Mohammed Al-Shehri, with the participation of his deputy, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jamaan, and the Head of the Fisheries Department, Ibrahim Al-Maliki. This leadership participation aimed to directly and on-site monitor the progress of inspections and ensure that regulatory standards are being applied with the utmost precision, without any leniency towards violations that could threaten the ecological balance.
Details of the monitoring campaign and its objectives
The campaign focused primarily on monitoring the extent to which fishermen and recreational boaters adhered to the aquaculture system and its implementing regulations. The measures included a comprehensive and technical inspection of fishing equipment to ensure its compliance with approved technical specifications and its freedom from prohibited tools that cause serious damage to coral reefs or lead to the catching of juvenile fish before they reach the reproductive stage, thus threatening the sustainability of the sensitive marine environment in the Red Sea.
Strategic context: Food security and Vision 2030
These initiatives are part of a broader national effort aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on the fisheries sector as a cornerstone of achieving national food security. Through these tours, the Ministry aims to regulate the fishing sector to ensure it becomes a sustainable economic driver, rather than a haphazard activity that could lead to resource depletion. Preserving fish stocks is not merely an environmental measure; it is an economic imperative to guarantee the continuation of the fishing profession for future generations and to provide high-quality seafood products for local consumers.
Environmental and economic impact of control
These patrols are of particular importance given Thuwal's strategic location on the Red Sea coast, which boasts unique biodiversity. The Ministry aims to protect this biodiversity from unsustainable practices through the implementation of responsible fishing mechanisms. Eliminating violations also ensures fair competition among licensed fishermen, as illegal practices negatively impact the fishing quotas of those who comply with regulations.
The ministry's efforts in this round were not limited to monitoring and deterrence, but also included a crucial awareness-raising component. Direct guidance messages were sent to fishermen to increase their understanding of environmental regulations and the risks associated with violations. The Department of Agriculture emphasized that these follow-ups are a central part of a strategic plan for preventative monitoring, stressing that adherence to regulations is the only way to achieve sustainable development and preserve the nation's resources.
