Artificially bred hamour released

Monday, Jun 28, 2010

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi government attempts to increase stock by making 50,000 baby fish available

Abu Dhabi In an effort to counter depleted fish populations, the Abu Dhabi government has, for the first time, released thousands of artificially bred baby hamour off the coast.

As many as 50,000 juveniles of two local fish species: hamour (orange spotted grouper) and sobaity were released off the northern coast of Saadiyat Island, officials announced yesterday.

The release was carried out by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Fish Farming Holding Company P.J.S.C. (ASMAK), a leading aquaculture company based in the UAE.

“Since seafood is hugely popular with the UAE residents, about 10-15 fish species including the hamour, sharey and farsh are either fished above the sustainable limits or at the brink. During our continuous monitoring of fish stock we came across some very bad signs, which prompted action,” said Thabit Zahran Al Abdul Salam, EAD’s Biodiversity Management.

Hamour, being a highly favoured fish in the UAE, is over-fished seven times beyond its sustainable level, according to official estimates.

With a decline of 87-92 per cent since 1978, it ranks at the top of the over-fished species list.

The solution to the depleting fish stock is mani-fold, said Al Abdul Salam. “Increasing the number of juveniles, protecting spawning stocks, reducing catch levels, closing some areas to fishing and modifying the fishing nets are some of the measures.

“The juveniles released weighed between 1.2-2.0 grams. EAD has been monitoring the fish stock since 2001. We know whether a fish population is sustainable or not by calculating spawning stock biomass. Ideally it should be 40 per cent of the biomass. If it is less, then the species could be threatened,” he added.

BOX

UAE FISH FACTS:

• Since 1978, there has been an overall decline of 80 percent in the average stock size for all commercial species in the country.

• In the UAE, 60 percent of the total catch is made up of species that are fished beyond sustainable levels.

• 8 of the most valuable commercial fish are being overexploited. This list includes Hamour, Shaari, Farsh, Kanaad and others.

• The UAE has a high demand for fish: 66 percent of residents eat fish at least once a week.

• Hamour, or Orange- spotted grouper, is fished out at over 7 times the sustainable level and is the most overfished species in the UAE.

By Rayeesa Absal ?Staff Reporter