United Arab Emirates

Fishing

Fisherman and his wares; Persian Gulf waters provide abundant fish.
Courtesy Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Washington

The government has supported traditional fishing in the rich waters off the UAE, an activity that has provided livelihood for centuries along the coast. The government offers a 50 percent subsidy on fishing boats and equipment and has opened marine workshops that offer free repair and maintenance. Cooperatives assist fishermen in marketing their catch. The number of fishermen rose from 4,000 in 1980 to 10,611 in 1990. The total catch in 1989 of 91,160 tons (up from 70,075 tons in 1982) supplied most local demand. Moreover, prawns and fish are raised in fish farms at the National Mariculture Center--operated with Japanese assistance--in Umm Al Qaywayn.

Data as of January 1993