5 fish farms in Abu Dhabi produced 808 tons for 19 million dirhams last year

The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi revealed the presence of five farms licensed for aquaculture in the emirate, which contributed to the production of 808 tons of seafood, with a production value of approximately 19 million dirhams during the past year, noting that Indian white shrimp and grouper constituted most of the production.

In detail, the Authority explained in its response to Emirates Today’s inquiries regarding encouraging investment in fish farming, that the number of licensed aquaculture farms in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi until 2018 amounted to five farms, including four commercial farms and one research farms, noting the presence of two large-scale farms. One for the production of white shrimp in open ponds near the city of Abu Dhabi, and another farm for the production of grouper in a high-tech recycling system in Al Wathba, in addition to two medium-scale farms. Integrated rearing of tilapia with plants in Baniyas, Al Faya, and a small-scale research farm for tilapia production in Masdar City.

The Authority indicated that the total quantity of aquaculture products amounted to 305 tons of shrimp, with a total value of six million dirhams, 163 tons of tilapia, 120 tons of grouper, 120 tons of seabream, 60 tons of bermandi, in addition to 40 tons of seabass fish. An increase of 20% over production during 2017, which amounted to 650 tons, noting that there are no reports About the production of small, unlicensed farms, and therefore their contribution to the sector’s total products was not taken into account.

The Authority attributed its launch this year of the sustainable aquaculture policy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with the aim of setting a vision to enhance growth in the aquaculture sector in the emirate, and enhancing its competitiveness to reduce pressure on overexploited local fisheries, pointing out that the sustainable aquaculture policy aims to Reducing pressure on fish stocks in the emirate, and promoting a local strategy that encourages the establishment of an environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially responsible agriculture sector that can meet the growing consumption patterns in the region. Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The Authority stressed that sustainable farming contributes to achieving food security and economic growth in the country by providing safe, high-quality marine food products, using sustainable techniques that preserve biological diversity and ensure the protection of marine ecosystems, noting that farming includes raising fish, molluscs, crustaceans, algae and aquatic plants. For food production, ornamental fish trade, stock replenishment, or commercial, recreational and research purposes.

Severe overeating

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has confirmed that fish resources in the United Arab Emirates are subject to severe overexploitation, with an estimated 90% decline in the size of fully developed fish stocks (capable of reproduction) for the main benthic species: grouper, hairy, and farsh. The minimum threshold for sustainability levels is The international fisheries management limit is 30%, and below that limit fish stocks fall into the overexploited category. The Authority explained that the best available information indicates that the size of fully developed fish stocks for these three species has reached less than 10% of their unexploited state, pointing out that the main motivation behind the launch of the National Framework for the Sustainability of Fisheries Resources in the United Arab Emirates (2019-2030) is The state of severe overexploitation of fisheries (environmental aspect). Any proposed solutions must also take into account the importance of fisheries to the heritage of the UAE (social aspect), and the fishermen who depend on fishing. As a main source of income (economic aspect).