Makkah Environment Authority seizes fishing violations using prohibited equipment in Abhur
As part of ongoing efforts to protect wildlife and natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Makkah region, represented by the Fisheries Department of the Agriculture Administration, was able to detect a number of environmental violations related to illegal fishing on the coasts of Abhur in Jeddah.
This operation came as an immediate response to a report received from the Abhur Border Guard Center, prompting specialized monitoring teams to be dispatched to the site. The inspection revealed a group of picnickers fishing using prohibited equipment, specifically spearguns. These devices are banned due to the direct damage they cause to the marine environment and coral reefs, as well as the danger they pose to public safety in recreational areas.
Details of the process and regulatory procedures
The Ministry's branch of the Agriculture Department explained that upon receiving the report, they immediately went to the location and verified the information, where they apprehended the violators in possession of the prohibited equipment. All necessary legal procedures were taken against them, and a joint seizure report was prepared in direct coordination with the Border Guard Command. The prohibited equipment was also confiscated in accordance with the regulations and executive bylaws of the Law on Fishing, Investment, and Protection of Living Aquatic Resources in the Kingdom's Territorial Waters.
Protecting fish stocks: a cornerstone of environmental sustainability
These monitoring efforts are of particular importance given the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on environmental protection, enhancing food security, and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. The Red Sea coast is one of the world's richest regions in terms of biodiversity and rare coral reefs, making its protection from overfishing a national duty and a shared responsibility.
The use of prohibited fishing tools, such as spearguns and irregular nets, leads to the depletion of fish stocks and the elimination of young fish and mothers, disrupting the delicate ecological balance and threatening the extinction of certain types of marine life that characterize the Saudi environment.
Official statements and warnings
For his part, the Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Makkah region, Engineer Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Dughais, affirmed that the Ministry will not tolerate any violations of regulations. He emphasized that protecting fish stocks is a top priority for the Ministry, which is working diligently to prevent any practices that harm the marine environment or disrupt its natural balance.
Al-Dughais noted the continued close cooperation with relevant security authorities and the intensification of patrols along the coast to ensure compliance with regulations. He concluded by urging all beachgoers, picnickers, and fishermen to adhere to fishing guidelines, use only authorized gear, and contribute to preserving this national resource to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
