Protecting marine resources: Violating fishermen apprehended in Al-Lith
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable development and implement strict environmental regulations, the relevant authorities continue to conduct intensive monitoring campaigns to ensure the protection of marine resources. In this context, the monitoring teams at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, in fruitful cooperation with the Border Guard Command, apprehended five fishermen violating regulations while they were fishing using methods and techniques prohibited by law, posing a direct threat to the ecological balance in the region.
Details of the operation and the prohibited methods used
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate explained that during the operation, five fishing nets made of prohibited nylon material were found in the possession of the violating fishermen. Accordingly, all necessary legal and regulatory procedures were completed, and the fishermen were referred to the relevant authorities to apply the penalties stipulated in accordance with the regulations governing the fisheries sector in the Kingdom.
Monofilament nylon nets are classified as internationally and locally banned due to their devastating effects on the marine environment. These nets do not decompose easily and continue to catch fish and other marine life in a phenomenon known as "ghost fishing," leading to a severe depletion of fish stocks and the destruction of coral reefs, which are a natural habitat for many rare marine organisms.
The strategic importance of efforts to protect marine resources in the Red Sea
These regulatory moves come at a time when the Kingdom is undergoing a major environmental transformation in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Red Sea is one of the most important waterways and unique biological reservoirs in the world, as it is home to rare species of coral reefs and marine organisms that are highly adaptable to global climate changes.
Therefore, preserving this ecosystem has far-reaching implications, extending beyond the local level to encompass regional and international dimensions. Locally, these measures contribute to ensuring food security and the sustainability of traditional fishing for future generations. Regionally and internationally, protecting the Red Sea environment enhances the Kingdom's position as a regional leader in marine biodiversity conservation and supports its major tourism projects, such as the Red Sea Project and NEOM, which rely heavily on pristine nature and a pollution-free marine environment.
Intensify oversight and community partnerships to enhance compliance
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, emphasized the Ministry's continued efforts to intensify field monitoring tours in ongoing coordination with the Border Guard and other security agencies to curb any violations. He pointed out that protecting the marine environment is a shared national responsibility that falls on everyone, including fishermen, beachgoers, and local communities.
Engineer Al-Daghis called on all fishermen to fully comply with the regulations and instructions, and to use the legal and authorized fishing methods, stressing that compliance with these laws is the only way to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and avoid the strict legal penalties imposed by the state to protect its natural resources.
