The Asian domination of Ras Al Khaimah fish markets is the sole fault of UAE national fishermen. They have been recruiting a large number of Asian fishermen, who later become a threat to their business.
In an interview with Gulf News, Mohammed Al Zaabi, Head of the Fisheries Section at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, said national fishermen should be held responsible for the problem.
The following is the full text of the interview.
How did Asians take control of the fish markets and what role did national fishermen play?It was the national fishermen who brought the Asians in big numbers. Later, most national fishermen rented their stands in the fish markets to these Asians, who now control them.
Why did the authorities not play a role in organising the business and prevent the problem?The authorities did not know anything about the secret agreements between national fishermen and Asians. National fishermen have been renting stands on verbal agreements.
There are no documents. Asians were sponsored by national fishermen. However, instead of giving them monthly salaries as employees and labourers, they rented their stands and Asians had the upper hand in the business.
If national fishermen have been renting stands to the Asians, it indicates they are satisfied - how do you explain the complaints of some national fishermen? Those who complain are national fishermen who do not have stands at fish markets. The authorities rent stands to national fishermen annually. Those who do not get stands complain because they see Asians running them.
Still national fishermen who rent to Asians violate the law - can't this be stopped?It is very difficult to prove that these national fishermen rent stands to Asians. However, the municipality and Higher Fishing Committee have been considering a new mechanism to catch offenders and ban them from getting a stand in future.
Is there Asian control over the prices of the fish?Asians do not have any control over the prices, which are governed by demand and supply.
How would you explain the shortage of certain types of fish at some periods? Some fish are local varieties and other are migrating fish. Local varieties are found in abundance, while migratory fish come to the emirate from the East Coast. When they come in big numbers, prices are low.
There are some complaints from national fishermen. What is the key problem? The only problem facing them is their total failure to cooperate and act as a united group. Only a few are members of the Ras Al Khaimah Fishermen's Association. Hence, the body is not active at all.
Do national fishermen have problems with boat licences?The simplest procedures are adopted by the authorities regarding registration of fishing boats. There are currently 1,200 fishing boats registered. The registration and licensing of the fishing boats takes place every two years - a national fisherman has to pay Dh80 for the registration of his boat and Dh150 for a licence to be a captain.
Do women register fishing boats in their names?There is no woman who has registered in Ras Al Khaimah as a fishing boat captain and there is no boat registered in a woman's name.
How many boats can a national fisherman register in his name?By law, a national fisherman can register only one boat in his name, but the Ras Al Khaimah Higher Fishing Committee has allowed him two - one to be kept as spare. But he can't use them together because he has to be aboard each time the boat puts to sea.
Has the UAE Federal Fishing Law No. 23 for the year 1999 been unfair in any way to national fishermen? The law has been imposed for their good and is in no way unfair to national fishermen. The law was meant to organise the profession and rectify faults.
How did the UAE Federal Fishing Law No. 23 for the year 1999 play a role in organising the profession?One of the key advantages of the law was reducing the number of Asians by 70 per cent. Once nationals used to sponsor 10 Asians, now the number is three. The law has also reduced the number of fishing boats owned by national fishermen.
The other advantage results from the clause that nationals have to be aboard ships. This has helped protect marine life because nationals care more about the marine environment than Asians.
Moreover, 80 per cent of the profit goes to national fishermen, but earlier only 20 per cent went to them.
Some of the national fishermen have been complaining against Asian fish traders who buy their daily catch from them and sell it themselves?By law, national fishermen sell their catch for the highest price at the markets. But these national fishermen appoint some Asians sponsored by them to handle the sale. This doesn't mean nationals don't sell fish themselves.
Some people have complained that some Asian fishermen have been displaying frozen fish in the markets... This is allowed. If the fisherman cannot sell all his fish in one day, he has the right to keep it in refrigerators and display it the next day. But municipal health inspectors check displayed fish daily. If the fish is rotten, it will be removed and the fisherman fined immediately.
What about trading of fish between the emirates. Does fish come to Ras Al Khaimah from the other emirates? Ras Al Khaimah is known for its fish wealth. Very little fish comes to Ras Al Khaimah from other emirates, but export from here to the other emirates is huge.
Gulf News
