The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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159

C OMMERCIAL F ISHERIES F ISH L ANDINGS BY S ITE

Arabian Gulf

Ra’s Sadr Ra’s Sadr is home port to a fleet of 50 tarads operating hadaq and a few lansh boats, which land an average of 700 metric tonnes of fish per year. Kan’aad was the most frequently landed species in Ra’s Sadr until halaq operations were banned in February 2007.

The total catch composition of fish landed differs for the Emirate’s seven main landing sites, and is directly attributable to the variation in habitats that are fished and the specific fishing methods used. Within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, fishing grounds range from very shallow to deep waters and from rocky, sparsely vegetated areas to densely covered seagrass beds. Fishing methods are classified as a combination of boat type and gear type. The lansh (dhow) fishermen use gargoor traps, which are usually deployed in medium to deep

waters. Tarad boats use a variety of fishing methods and generally fish in more shallow waters. These methods include hadaq (hook and line), al defara (encircling net), al halaq (encircling net), nesabah (standing gill net), al sakkar (barrier net) and al hadhra (enclosure trap). Al defara is specifically designed for use in seagrass habitats. The al halaq fishing method was banned by EAD in 2007 to protect the Spanish mackerel, locally known as the kan’aad .

5,547 Free Port The Abu Dhabi Free Port is the most important landing site of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and home to around 140 lansh boats deploying gargoor and 60 tarad boats deploying hadaq and nesaab . On average, around 3,600 metric tonnes is landed at the Free Port annually, comprising mostly hamour ( Epinephelus coioides ), shaari ( Lethrinus nebulosus ), kofar-faskar-qabit (Sparidae) and jesh (Carangidae).

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25°N

1,153

272

Mirfa In and around Mirfa, approximately 90 tarads are active. Because Mirfa is located within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, the traditional system of bahoor fishing must be observed, restricting fishermen to operating traditional fishing gear including nesaab , al defara , al sakkar and al hadhra . On average, 560 metric tonnes is landed in Mirfa annually, comprising mostly beyah arabia ( Valamugil seheli ) and jesh (Carangidae).

Ra’s Sadr

Dalma Dalma Island is the home port to a fleet of around 60 active tarads operating hadaq and 60 lansh boats deploying gargoor traps. On average, 920 metric tonnes is landed annually, of which farsh ( Diagramma pictum ) is the main species.

Mkasib

110

1,390

598

Qaffay

Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve

Free Port

2,414

Saadiyat

Abu Dhabi

586

Al Yasat MPA

Dalma

322

Al Bateen Al Bateen is home to about 90 tarads operating hadaq and naseeb . On average, 450 metric tonnes is landed annually at Al Bateen, of which the main species are beyah arabia, naiser ( Lutjanus ehrenbergii ) and qabqoob ( Portunus pelagicus ).

Muhayyimat

Al Bateen

Musaffah

Bul Syayeef

Bani Yas

Sila'a Sila’a is the home port to around 30 tarads operating hadaq and a few lansh boats that land an average of 270 metric tonnes annually. Kan’aad ( Scomberomorus commerson ) was the main fish species landed in Sila’a until al halaq operations were banned in February 2007.

Jebel Dhanna

Saadiyat Saadiyat is a small landing site, home to 30 tarad boats deploying hadaq, al hadhra and naseeb . The total landing in 2008 was 110 tonnes, which consisted mainly of naiser .

400

1,256

144

Mirfa

346

Ruwais

Sila’a

Tarif

24°N

24°N

Al Defara Al defara is an encircling gill net targeting small-sized pelagic and demersal species, such as jesh , naiser and beyah arabia . The net is usually 2–4 metres high and 150 metres wide, with a weighted bottom line that sits on the seagrass bottom, without harming the benthic ecosystem.

Al Hadhra Al hadhra is a permanent intertidal enclosure trap structure of a round corral (10–20 metres diameter) that has a single opening and is connected to a 30–50-metre-long fence set perpendicular to the coast. With the receding tide, fish move along the fence to deeper water and are guided into the corral, where they become trapped. Al hadhra is usually operated during the summer and targets species such as aifah ( Chanos chanos ), badah ( Gerres longirostris ) and safi ( Siganus canaliculatus ).

Total Catch by Years (Tonnes 2001–2008) 2,800

Catch Composition (2001–2008)

200

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

CARANGIDAE HAEMULIDAE LETHRINIDAE LUTJANIDAE MUGILIDAE PORTUNIDAE SPARIDAE SERRANIDAE SCOMBRIDAE OTHERS

Al Sakkar Al sakkar is a 2-metre-high and up to 1-kilometre- wide intertidal barrier net that targets demersal species such as jesh , qabit ( Rhabdosargus sarba ) and shaam ( Acanthopagrus latus ). The net is fixed parallel to the shore and during the rising tide the fish enter the area between the shore and the net. During ebb tide, the fish become trapped behind the barrier net.

Nesabah Nesabah is a standing gill net (1–4 metres high and 50 metres wide) that is set perpendicular to the shoreline targeting naiser and beyah arabia .

Al Defara weighted bottom line

Fish Landing Sites

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20

40 Kilometres

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