In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to protecting its natural resources, the Makkah Region branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, in close cooperation with the Abhur Border Guard Center, apprehended several individuals for illegal fishing. The branch, represented by the Fisheries Department within the Agriculture Administration, reported receiving information about beachgoers using prohibited fishing gear, specifically spearguns, along the Abhur coast, which poses a threat to the marine ecosystem.
Upon receiving the report, specialized teams were dispatched to the site to verify the information. The violation was confirmed, and the necessary legal procedures were initiated. A joint report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment and the Border Guard, and the equipment used in the illegal fishing was confiscated, in accordance with the regulations and laws in force in the Kingdom, which aim to regulate fishing activities and ensure their sustainability.
In this context, Engineer Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Daghis, Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Makkah region, affirmed that the Ministry places the protection of fish stocks and the marine environment at the forefront of its priorities. He emphasized that such indiscriminate practices, like the use of spearguns that may target endangered species or damage coral reefs, disrupt the delicate ecological balance and deplete natural resources that are the right of future generations.
National efforts to protect the marine environment
These efforts are part of a broader framework adopted by the Kingdom to protect its rich coastal and marine environment, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. The Red Sea, along which the coast of Abhur stretches, is a unique biological treasure, home to one of the world’s most diverse and resilient marine ecosystems, including rare coral reef colonies that attract tourists and researchers from around the globe. Protecting these ecosystems not only preserves biodiversity but also supports vital sectors such as ecotourism and the local economy based on sustainable fishing.
Negative effects of overfishing
The use of prohibited fishing gear not only affects fish populations but also impacts the entire marine food chain. Overfishing and unregulated fishing lead to the depletion of fish stocks and threaten the sustainability of the fishing industry, on which many citizens depend. Therefore, strict enforcement of regulations is essential to preserving these vital resources and strengthening national food security in the long term.
Al-Daghis reiterated that the ministry branch will continue to carry out its periodic monitoring tours on all coasts in the region, in continuous coordination with the competent security authorities, calling on all beachgoers, including picnickers and fishermen, to be responsible and fully comply with the regulations governing fishing operations, and to use only authorized tools, as a contribution to preserving the beauty and sustainability of the Kingdom’s marine environment.
