Fishermen of the Farasan Island off the Jazan coast depend on the marine resources of the Red Sea for their livelihood. A boat braves the waves to look for good fishing locations in the high seas. (SPA)

The National Commission for Fishing has begun a study of the administrative laws and policies related to the regulation of fishing and the protection of the regional marine environment with a view to achieving sustainable resource use. The study is expected to be completed in April.

The study will aid Red Sea countries in their national and regional efforts to review and improve resource laws, in addition to helping them abide by international agreements. Through this, it is expected that these countries will avoid serious environmental issues and can work in unison with relevant research and scientific bodies that manage the marine environment and its resources for continued protection.

The announcement of the study came at the end of a regional workshop that evaluated national laws and work plans related to fishing in member countries of the Regional Commission to Maintain the Red Sea Environment, and the Gulf of Eden. The workshop was held in the commission’s headquarters in Jeddah for three days with the participation of experts from member countries and international consultants.

Secretary-general of the commission Ziyad Abu Ghararah said that the workshop aims to keep up with emerging scientific research about marine resources and seeks to create an environment in which a comprehensive environmental methodology can be applied.

The Regional Commission to Maintain the Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Eden is an organization that has members from Red Sea littoral states and seeks to protect the environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Eden for mutual benefit.

 
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