The decision to halt the issuing of new fishing licences by the Minister of Agricutlure and Fisheries.

The decision to halt the issuing of new fishing licences by the Minister of Agricutlure and Fisheries, Saeed Mohammed Al Raqabani, has been warmly welcomed by the Dibba Al Fujairah Fishermen's Association.
The order to stop issuing licences came after the minister said that there were enough licences in the region already. It is still possible, however, to transfer licences from one fisherman to another, but the number of existing licences will not increase.
The number of fishing boats in the East Coast, which the minister mentioned in his order, represents the actual number of fishermen. But there are some other registered fishing boats whose owners have not renewed licences for a long time and should be cancelled.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will inform owners whose licences have not been renewed for a year or more that their licences are to be cancelled.
" In 2002, there were 1,158 registered national and expatriate fishermen in Fujairah, compared to 703 from the year before.
The Eastern Agricultural Zone in Fujairah said that 1,082 fishing boats were registered in 2002, which include 1,059 petrol-operated boats as well as 23 diesel-operated boats. In 2001, only 503 fishing boats were registered.