ABU DHABI FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE STATISTICAL BULLETIN

Transcription

1 ABU DHABI FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE STATISTICAL BULLETIN 2016

2 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ABU DHABI (EAD) 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright holders. Application for the copyright holders written permission to reproduce any part of this document should be addressed to the publisher, in accordance with the international copyright Act 1956 and the UAE federal law no. (7) of 2002, concerning copyrights and neighbouring rights, any person acting in contravention of this will be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. For inquiries or feedback, contact ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - ABU DHABI Tel.: us: customerservice@ead.ae

3 ABOUT EAD Established in 1996, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.

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5 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This bulletin provides information on fisheries and aquaculture activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is a direct result of enhanced cooperation and information sharing between a number of government entities, without which the publication of this bulletin would not have been possible. Gratitude goes out to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), who leads, in partnership with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), the UAE Sustainable Fisheries Programme, as well as initiatives on developing the aquaculture industry for the UAE. The EAD is thankful to the Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) and the Fishermen s Cooperative Societies in Abu Dhabi and Delma Island for the supportive provision of their datasets critical to the compilation of fisheries statistics. Special thanks goes out to the Statistics Center - Abu Dhabi (SCAD), which assists the EAD in the realisation of the bulletin presented. Last, but not least, appreciation is awarded to all fishermen and aquaculture workers who volunteered their time and dedication to provide us with valuable information on the operations of commercial fisheries and fish production in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Figure 1 - Fresh fish on ice at the fishmarket

6 2 SUMMARY SUMMARY This bulletin outlines the landing statistics of commercial fisheries, the key performance indicators on fish resources status and on the sustainability of associated fisheries, plus an overview of aquaculture production in Abu Dhabi Emirate for The information presented contribute to EAD s strategic goal of developing a management regime for the fisheries and aquaculture production in Abu Dhabi Emirate and is produced by the fisheries and aquaculture teams of the EAD. Fisheries Statistics An estimated 4,438 tonnes of fish was landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during 2016, which represented a decrease of 15% from 5,235 tonnes in The major landing sites were Al Mirfa (1,343 tonnes), Free Port (1,303 tonnes) and Delma with 714 tonnes, respectively. Ghazal pelagic nets were the dominant gear type, accounting for 2,427 tonnes, followed by Gargoor fish traps (1,003 tonnes) and Hadaq hand line (675 tonnes). The total wholesale value of landed catch decreased by 12% to million AED, compared to million in The families of Scombridae (Kanaad) and Epinephelidae (Hamour) accounted for 48% and 25% respectively of the total wholesale value of catch landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in Resources Indicators The UAE Sustainable Fisheries Programme measures the achievement of its overall objective Sustainable fisheries for the UAE by 2030 through two Key Performance Indicators: 1. Sustainable Exploitation Index (SEI) describes the trend in the proportion of the catch volume of sustainable exploited species against the total volume of assessed species landed by the commercial fishery in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The target SEI is set at 14% for 2016, but the actual value dropped from 7.6% in 2015 to 5.7% in This is caused by a further increase in the landings of over exploited species relative to the landing of sustainable exploited species. 2. Mean relative adult stock size (Mean SBR) describes the proportion of the average adult stock size for three commercially exploited key species (Hamour, Shaari and Farsh) compared to its virgin, unexploited size. The target Mean SBR is set at 30%, but the actual value increased from 6.6% in 2015, to 8.4% in 2016, which incline may be attributed to natural variation. The value remains well below 10%, the level at which stocks are considered severely over-exploited. Aquaculture Production This bulletin provides information on Abu Dhabi s aquaculture sector as it stands today in terms of production in volume and value. In 2016, there were 9 permitted aquaculture operations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi contributing to a total aquaculture production of tons of seafood with a farm gate value of approximately AED 12.3 million. Production was dominated by White Indian Shrimp (Penaeus indicus) and non-native freshwater Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

7 Figure 2 White Indian Shrimp (Penaeus indicus) at harvest.

8 UAE WATERS - DEMERSAL AND PELAGIC SPECIES RESOURCE STATUS % sustainably exploited 5% % not assessed 17% 78% % Over-exploited Kanaad Hamour Shaari Farsh Dhil e Zuraidi Shaari Eshkheli Um Al Hala Qabit Safi Arabi Kofar Eshnenuh Marjaan Figure 3 UAE over-exploited species, as per Although Shaari Eskheli (Lethrinus lentjan) is sustainably exploited in Abu Dhabi Emirate (Table 2), MOCCAE assessed the same species as over-exploited in the Northern Emirates.

9 5 INTRODUCTION The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in collaboration with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), implements the UAE Sustainable Fisheries Programme with the overall objective to achieve sustainable fisheries for the UAE by The programme consists of nine key projects that are aimed at: understanding the current state of key fish stocks; re-building strategic fish stocks; retaining existing stock levels for other fish stocks; preserving the ecosystem; and reducing risks of future over-exploitation. The status of UAE s fisheries resources, the socio-economic conditions, the fact that sound fisheries management is a strategic priority for the UAE government justifies this programme, which started in 2015 and runs for three years until The status of UAE s fisheries resources is summarized as follows and illustrated in Figure 3: Out of 28 species for which stock assessments have been conducted, 13 species are harvested beyond sustainable levels (overexploited), accounting for nearly 78% of the commercial landings and 87% of the commercial fishery revenue in UAE s principal fish species Hamour, Farsh, Safi Arabi, Qabit, Zuraidy and Kanaad are being fished, on average, four times the sustainable limit and these resources are considered severely overexploited. Other overexploited species are Dhil e, Shaari Eshkheli, Shaari, Kofar, Jesh Umm Al Hala, Esnenuh and Marjaan. There is a critical need to move from the current severely overexploited state of the fishery toward a recovering and finally by 2030, a sustainably managed fishery. Although given the slow rate of recovery in fish stocks this target is highly ambitious. The UAE Sustainable Fisheries Programme is a change management process at the federal basis, strengthening UAE institutional framework with the MOCCAE leading the way and continued support from strategic partners including Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA), Federal Transport Authority Land and Maritime (FTA), and the EAD. But, foremost, it is a holistic programme which recognizes that all stakeholders commercial fishers, recreational fishers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers alike need to become engaged, through a suite of awareness campaigns, dialogue sessions and workshops, in the planning and implementation of UAE fisheries management measures. This bulletin forms part of EAD s information outreach to stakeholders and the wider public and is a continuation of the Fisheries Statistical Bulletin series ( ). The bulletin provides an overview of Abu Dhabi s Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2016, presented in three corresponding sections: Fisheries Statistics, Resources Indicators and Aquaculture Production.

10 6 FISHERIES STATISTICS BACKGROUND Since 2001, the EAD has consistently collected and recorded fisheries statistics for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. After a major system upgrade in 2004, the EAD joined hands with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to establish an online National Fisheries Information System (NFIS) for the whole of the UAE in Under this initiative, a comprehensive catch and effort data recording system emerged with data input from strategic partners, such as the Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) and the Fishermen s Cooperative Societies (FCS), vital to the compilation of Abu Dhabi fisheries statistics. Figure 4 CICPA official recording boat movement details. Figure 5 An enumerator recording the landing of fish at Al Mirfa landing site.

11 7 DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY Fisheries in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are artisanal with the fleet constituting of smallsized boats operating traditional fishing gears. There are two types of fishing vessels namely; tarads and lanshes. Tarads are open fiberglass dories measuring 6-8 metres in length which are equipped with one to two outboard engines. The duration of a fishing trip is usually 6-8 hours with a maximum trip length of one day. The number of crew varies from 1-4 persons. In addition to 750 tarads and 350 lanshes licensed to fish by the EAD, a considerate fleet of licensed fishing boats from other emirates also operates in Abu Dhabi waters under the condition that they follow Abu Dhabi s fishing gear regulations. Whilst there are a wide variety of methods, the main fishing gear type used to target demersal species is the Gargoor which is a dome-shaped wire trap. Gargoors are licensed to fishermen on lanshes only, with a maximum of 125 gargoors per vessel. Hadaq (hand line) is usually operated in combination with the Gargoor fishing method. Figure 6 Tarads ready for next trip in Free Port. Lanshes are traditionally built wooden dhows ranging from metres in length. They are decked and equipped with inboard diesel engines. Fish is stored whole on ice in insulated cool boxes. Fishing trips usually last between 3 and 5 days. The number of crew varies from 4-6 persons. Figure 8 Stacked gargoor traps. Figure 9 Shaari (Lethrinus nebulosus) caught by Al Defara in Al Mirfa. Figure 7 Lansh loaded with gargoors is ready for next fishing trip.

12 8 DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY Demersal fishing methods such as Sakhar (inter-tidal barrier net), Hadhra (inter-tidal enclosure trap) and Defara (encircling net) are mainly operated by tarad fishermen as these gears are confined to shallower waters. Other popular fishing gears include Ghazal (gill net for large pelagics), and Nesaab (standing gill net for small demersals). Over 100 species from more than 35 families are caught by the gears operated in the different fisheries in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Some of the main scientific families making up the catch are Epinephelidae (Groupers), Lethrinidae (Emperors), Lutjanidae (Snappers), Haemulidae (Sweetlips), Sparidae (Seabreams), Carangidae (Jacks), Mugilidae (Mullets), Gerreidae (Silverbiddies) and Scombridae (Mackerels). Figure 10 A fresh catch of a gargoor hauled showing Ebzimi (Black streaked monocle bream), Farsh (Painted sweetlips), Yemah (Snub nose emperor), and many more.

13 Figure 11 Commercial fish landing sites in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

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15 11 CATCH, EFFORT, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND VALUE OF LANDINGS IN The total catch landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was 4,438 tonnes in 2016, of which 23% was realized by lanshes and 77% by tarads. Figure 12 depicts total catch by landing site and boat type in Nearly all lansh landings were realized at the Free Port in Abu Dhabi or on Delma island (99.6%). Landings by tarad, on the other hand, were more spread out and occurred at all landing sites in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with the highest volume recorded in Al Mirfa, Free Port and Al Sadar. Figure 13 summarizes the total catch by month and boat type in ,400 محصول الصيد الم نزل (طن) Landed catch (tonnes) 1,200 1, السلع دلما المرفا البطين الميناء الحر السعديات السدر Sila Delma Al Mirfa Al Bateen Free Port Al Saadiyat Al Sadar طراد Tarad/ , لنش Lansh/ Figure 12 Total catch by landing site and boat type in ,200 محصول الصيد الم نزل (طن) Landed catch (tonnes) 1, Jan /يناير Apr /أبريل Mar /مارس Feb /فبراير Jun /يونيو May /مايو Sep /سبتمبر Aug /أغسطس Jul /يوليو Dec /ديسمبر Nov /نوفمبر Oct /أكتوبر طراد Tarad/ لنش Lansh/ Figure 13 Total catch by month and boat type in Note: Small differences in the totals of the statistics presented are due to rounding of numbers.

16 12 A clear drop in the landings occurred during the hot summer months (June September), when fish is known to move away to deeper and cooler waters, and become less accessible to the fishermen. Due to extended periods of stormy weather in the months of January and February, fishermen couldn t go out and hence the overall catch is low in these months. The surge of catch by tarad fishing boats in the months of November and December is related to the fishing season of the seasonal pelagic fish species Kanaad (Scomberomorus commerson). Figure 14 plots the total catch by fishing method. Tarad fishermen operating Ghazal (gill net targeting large pelagics) dominated the fishery in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, accounting for 55% of the total catch. Traditional Gargoor traps deployed from lansh vessels accounted for 23% and Hadaq (hand line) for 15% of the total catch landed in From the species composition in Figure 14 it becomes clear that Gargoor and Hadaq gear types target multiple species. In contrast, Ghazal and Hadhra are more selective gear types in nature. 2,800 2,400 محصول الصيد الم نزل (طن) Landed catch (tonnes) 2,000 1,600 1, لنش جرجور طراد دفارة طراد حظرة طراد حداق طراد سكار طراد غزل طراد نصاب Lansh, Gargoor Tarad, Defara Tarad, Hadhra Tarad, Hadaq Tarad, Sakhar Tarad, Ghazal Tarad, Nesaab جش / Carangidae فرش / Haemulidae شعري / Lethrinidae نيسر / Lutjanidae قيقوب / Portunidae كنعد / Scombridae ,710 2 هامور / Epinephelidae كوفر / Sparidae غيرها / Others Figure 14 Total catch of principal fish families landed by fishing method. Figure 15 Landing of Kanaad (Scomberomorus commerson) in Al Sadar.

17 CATCH, EFFORT, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND VALUE OF LANDINGS IN Figure 16 demonstrates the differences in the composition of fish caught by lanshes and tarads. The ranking of dominant species in the landings of Lansh fishermen has changed in Aside from the opportunistic share of Portunidae (Qabqoob) equal to 17% of total landings (Figure 16a), the contribution of Lethrinidae (Shaari) has dropped from 22% in 2015 to 12% in 2016, as a result of a season ban in the months of March and April. The bulk of fish landed by Lansh fishermen remained Epinephelidae (Hamour) with 47% of the total catch. The species composition of landings from tarad fishermen in 2016 has two major species groups: Scombridae (Kanaad) 55% and Carangidae (Jesh) 21%. a) كوفر/ Sparidae 3.3% هامور/ Epinephelidae 46.8% غيرها/ Others 2.1% جش/ Carangidae 3.7% كنعد/ Scombridae 0.2% فرش/ Haemulidae 14.0% شعري/ Lethrinidae 12.3% نيسر/ Lutjanidae 0.2% قبقوب/ Portunidae 17.4% b) كوفر/ Sparidae 0.1% هامور/ Epinephelidae 4.1% غيرها/ Others 8.5% جش/ Carangidae 21.5% فرش/ Haemulidae 0.2% شعري/ Lethrinidae 4.7% كنعد/ Scombridae 54.8% نيسر/ Lutjanidae 1.6% قبقوب/ Portunidae 4.6% Figure 16 Species composition of landings by a Lansh (a) and Tarad (b)

18 14 5,000 4,000 رحلات الصيد Fishing trips 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 طراد Tarad/ لنش Lansh/ السلع دلما المرفا البطين الميناء الحر السعديات السدر Sila Delma Al Mirfa Al Bateen Free Port Al Saadiyat Al Sadar 2,769 4,479 4, , , , Figure 17 Number of trips by landing site and boat type in Where the total landings by tarads (3,436 mt) is 3.4 times higher than that of lanshes (1,003 mt) in 2016, tarad fishermen undertook 6.6 times more fishing trips (21,961 trips) than lansh fishermen (3,324 trips) in the same period (Figure 17). Figure 18 Hadaq or hand line used in Abu Dhabi.

19 CATCH, EFFORT, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND VALUE OF LANDINGS IN a) b) غزال/ Ghazal 38.2% ساكر/ Sakhar 2.0% حداق/ Hadaq 53.3% حظرة/ Hadhra 1.7% نصاب/ Nesaab 2.2% دفارة/ Defara 2.6% Figure 19 Breakdown of fishing trips by fishing methods used on a Lansh (a) and Tarad (b).

20 16 CATCH, EFFORT, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND VALUE OF LANDINGS IN 2016 As indicated earlier, Gargoor is the sole gear type used in lanshes (Figure 19a). Gargoor traps target bottom dwelling species, of which Hamour (Epinephelus coioides) is the most common species. Other fishing methods, such as hand line or trolling, are operated in between the hauling and setting of Gargoor traps by lanshes. Tarad fishermen in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi operate a wide range of fishing methods of which Hadaq (hand line) is the most common gear type (Figure 19b), followed closely by the seasonal Ghazal. Figure 20 shows the distribution of fishing trips by fishing gear and landing site. Gargoor is predominantly operated by lansh fishermen in Free Port and on Delma island, while tarad fishermen deploy Hadaq and Ghazal throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Defara and Al Sakhar are two fishing gears entitled to fishermen authorized to fish inside privately leased sea areas (Buhoor), which are predominantly found in and around Al Mirfa and Al Saadiyat. Al Hadhra fishing method is used by fishermen in and around Al Bateen, Al Saadiyat and Al Mirfa. 6,000 رحالت الصيد رحلات الصيد Fishing trips 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 لنش جرجور Lansh, Gargoor لنش جرجور Tarad, Defara لنش جرجور Tarad, Hadhra لنش جرجور Tarad, Hadaq لنش جرجور Tarad, Sakhar لنش جرجور Tarad, Ghazal لنش جرجور Tarad, Nesaab السلع جزيرة دلما المرفا البطين الميناء الحر السعديات السدر Sila Delma Island Marfa Al Bateen Free Port Al Saadiyat Al Sadar , ,110 2,773 2, , , ,559 1,703 1, , , Figure 20 Distribution of fishing trips by fishing methods and landing sites.

21 Figure 21 Al Hadhra intertidal enclosure at Hilat Al Bahrani island.

22 18 Figure 22 shows the seasonality of fishing gears used. Gargoor is constantly operated throughout the year having no apparent seasonality. Conform the conditions in the fishing gear permits, Ghazal is predominantly used during the winter months October April, while Hadhra is only used during the summer period (April October). Hadaq, Sakkar, Defara and Nesaab are deployed throughout the year, albeit with lesser intensity during the summer months. Figure 24 and 25 portray the value of landings of different species by fishery method and landing sites. The total wholesale value of fish landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is estimated at AED million in 2016, of which 30% was realized by lanshes and 70% by tarads. 4,200 3,600 الصيد رحلات الصيد رحالت Fishing trips 3,000 2,400 1,800 1, Dec /ديسمبر Nov /نوفمبر Oct /أكتوبر Sep /سبتمبر Aug /أغسطس Jul /يوليو Jun /يونيو May /مايو Apr /أبريل Mar /مارس Feb /فبراير Jan /يناير لنش جرجور Lansh, Gargoor لنش جرجور Tarad, Al Defara لنش جرجور Tarad, Al Hadhra لنش جرجور Tarad, Hadaq , ,195 1,879 1,224 1,392 لنش جرجور Tarad, Al Sakkar لنش جرجور Tarad, Ghazal , ,011 2,046 لنش جرجور Tarad, Nesaab Figure 22 Number of fishing trips by fishing methods and months. Figure 23 Assortment of local fish at Free Port Fish Market.

23 CATCH, EFFORT, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND VALUE OF LANDINGS IN Ghazal fishing operations generated AED 52 million in revenues, followed by Gargoor (AED 34 million) and Hadaq (AED 22 million). The Scombridae (Kanaad) and Epinephelidae (Hamour) families accounted for 48% and 25% respectively of the total wholesale value of catch landed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in ,000 (قيمة البيع الاجمالي (با لف درهم Wholesale value (AED '000) 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 جش / Carangidae فرش / Haemulidae شعري / Lethrinidae نيسر / Lutjanidae قيقوب / Portunidae كنعد / Scombridae هامور / Epinephelidae كوفر / Sparidae غيرها / Others لنش جرجور طراد دفارة طراد حظرة طراد حداق طراد سكار طراد غزل طراد نصاب Lansh, Gargoor Tarad, Defara Tarad, Hadhra Tarad, Sakhar Tarad, Ghazal Tarad, Hadaq Tarad, Nesaab 1, ,311 4, , , , , , ,352 7, , , , ,687 1, Figure 24 Wholesale value of principal families by fishing method. 60,000 قيمة البيع الاجمالي (با لف درهم) Wholesale value (AED '000) 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 جش / Carangidae فرش / Haemulidae شعري / Lethrinidae نيسر / Lutjanidae قيقوب / Portunidae كنعد / Scombridae هامور / Epinephelidae كوفر / Sparidae غيرها / Others السلع جزيرة دلما المرفا البطين الميناء الحر السعديات السدر Sila Delma Marfa Al Bateen Free Port Al Saadiyat Al Sadar 641 1,570 1, , , , , , , , ,330 2,218 13,786 4,200 18, , ,670 2, , , , ,772 Figure 25 Wholesale value of principal families by landing site.

24 20 CATCH, EFFORT, SPECIES COMPOSITION AND VALUE OF LANDINGS IN 2016 The Free Port was the principal landing site in 2016, contributing to 48% of the total wholesale value. Marfa followed with 18% and Al Sadar ranked third with 13% of the total wholesale value. Table 1 shows the average wholesale unit price which principal species groups fetched in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during Family Arabic Name Scientific Name Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avg St. Dev Carangidae Bassar Scomberoides tol Dhil'e Scomberoides commersonnianus Dhil'e Mezdawaj Scomberoides lysan Durduman Atule mate Gamlouh Alepes vari Gufdar Caranx ignobilis Halwayoh Parastromateus niger Hamam Seriolina nigrofasciata Jesh Sal Carangoides malabaricus Jesh Um Al Hala Carangoides bajad Jesh Zeria Carangoides fulvoguttatus Jib Seriola dumerili Sima Decapterus russelli Zuraidi Gnathanodon speciosus Epinephelidae Eshnenuh Cephalopholis hemistiktos Hamour Epinephelus coioides Semman Epinephelus areolatus Haemulidae Farsh Diagramma pictum Farsh Monaqat Plectorhinchus pictus Hilali Plectorhinchus gaterinus Naqroor Pomadasys argenteus Yanam Plectorhinchus sordidus Lethrinidae Shaari Lethrinus nebulosus Shaari Eshkheli Lethrinus lentjan Souli Lethrinus microdon Yemah Lethrinus borbonicus Lutjanidae Aqalah Lutjanus fulviflamma Hamra Lutjanus malabaricus Marjaan Lutjanus argentimaculatus Naiser Lutjanus ehrenbergii Neimi Pinjalo pinjalo Umm Dhrais Lutjanus indicus Portunidae Qabqoob Portunus pelagicus Qabqoob bunni Charybdis natator Scombridae Garfah Rastrelliger kanagurta Kanaad Scomberomorus commerson Sadah Euthynnus affinis Tabban Auxis thazard Sparidae Faskar Acanthopagrus bifasciatus Kofar Argyrops spinifer Qabit Rhabdosargus sarba Shaam Acanthopagrus latus Shaam Arabi Acanthopagrus arabicus Shaam Aswad Acanthopagrus berda Subaiti Sparidentex hasta Table 1 Average wholesale unit prices in AED per Kilogram in 2016.

25 20 21 TRENDS Figure 26 shows the trend in the number of fishing trips by boat type for the period Over the last 6-7 years, it appears that Abu Dhabi fishermen increasingly switch from a lansh to a tarad boat type. Where lansh vessels recorded around 5,400 fishing trips in 2010, this has declined to around 3,300 fishing trips in Fishing trips by tarads, on the other hand, increased from around 18,900 trips in 2011 to around 21,900 trips in The trend in annual production by principal species group for the period is shown in Figure 27. The families of Haemulidae, Lethrinidae, Epinephelidae and Sparidae show a declining trend in the annual landings in the years , which is closely associated to the falling number in lansh fishing trips utilizing gargoor traps, for the same period. The strong decline of Lethrinidae from 678 tonnes in 2015 to 284 tonnes in 2016, is furthermore attributed to the season ban of Shaari landings that was introduced for the first time in the months of March-April in The annual Scombridae catch of 1,884 tonnes in 2016 is the highest catch volume recorded for this family since when EAD started to compile fisheries statistics for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in ,000 عدد رحلات الصيد Number of fishing trips 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 طراد Tarad/ لنش Lansh/ ,340 12,740 16,405 16,645 23,477 29,127 27,380 20,345 21,400 26,154 18,972 21,153 18,229 19,220 21,024 21,961 6,259 7,752 8,106 6,444 6,141 5,972 6,266 4,896 5,164 5,411 4,476 4,627 4,507 4,193 3,768 3,324 Figure 26 Number of fishing trips in Abu Dhabi Emirate during ,000 محصول الصيد الم نزل )طن( Landed catch (tonnes) 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 5,813 8,184 9,042 6,658 6,490 5,830 5,337 5,192 5,978 6,556 3,922 4,399 3,863 4,290 5,235 4,438 0 جش / Carangidae فرش / Haemulidae شعري / Lethrinidae نيسر / Lutjanidae قيقوب / Portunidae كنعد / Scombridae هامور / Epinephelidae كوفر / Sparidae غيرها / Others ,176 1,854 1,592 1,135 1,024 1, ,009 1, ,484 2,043 2,911 1,995 1,268 1,307 1,200 1,084 1, ,467 1, , ,150 1,014 1,442 1,806 1,884 1,233 2,020 1,600 1, , , Figure 27 Trend of annual production in Abu Dhabi Emirate

26 22 RESOURCES INDICATORS BACKGROUND Since 2002, the EAD conducts comprehensive fisheries research to assess the resource status of 28 commercially important species in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Table 2 shows the species biology and fishery characteristics (e.g. spawning season and fishery mortality) and evaluated resources status of the key species, which makes up 83% of the total volume commercially landed in The UAE Sustainable Fisheries Programme measures the achievement of its overall objective Sustainable fisheries for the UAE by 2030 through two Key Performance Indicators: 1. Sustainable Exploitation Index (SEI) increase from 12.8% (Abu Dhabi) in 2014 to 70% (UAE) in 2030; and 2. Overexploited fish stocks rebuilt to minimum sustainable thresholds, with mean relative adult stock size (Mean SBR) for three key species increased from 7% average (Abu Dhabi) in 2014 to 30% in Figure 28 Biological processing of Badah (Gerres longirostris) as part of stock assessment programme at the Fish Lab in Abu Dhabi.

27 23 Population parameters of commercially important species in Abu Dhabi waters - Updated as per March 2017 # Species (Latin name) Arabic name Z F M F lim F/F lim SBR Spawning season Landings in 2016 (mt) Status (year of assessment) 1 Epinephelus coioides Hamour Apr-May Lethrinus nebulosus Shaari Apr- May Diagramma pictum Farsh Apr- May Scomberomorus commerson Kanaad Apr - Aug 1, Gnathanodon speciosus Zuraidi Apr- May Rhabdosargus sarba Qabit Jan-Jun Siganus canaliculatus Safi Arabi Apr- Jul Scomberoides commersonnianus Dhil'e Mar - Jun Argyrops spinifer Kofar Jan - Apr Cephalopholis hemistiktos Eshnenuh Jul - Nov Lutjanus argentimaculatus Marjaan Sep - Oct Carangoides bajad Jesh Um Al Hala May -Sep Moolgarda seheli Beyah Arabi Feb - Apr Lethrinus borbonicus Yemah Mar-Jun Lethrinus microdon Souli Jun.-Nov Atule mate Durduman Apr -May Acanthopagrus bifasciatus Faskar Jan- Apr Gerres longirostris Badah Mar- Jun Lethrinus lentjan Shaari Eshkheli Apr- Jun Acanthopagrus latus Shaam Jan - Mar Lutjanus ehrenbergii Naiser Mar- Jun Lutjanus fulviflamma Aqalah Apr- Jul Plectorhinchus gaterinus Hilali Apr - May Plectorhinchus sordidus Yanam Mar-May Pomacanthus maculosus Anfooz Sep-Oct Scolopsis taeniatus Ebzimi Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct Sphyraena barracuda Jedd Kebir Apr - Sep Netuma thalassinus Khan May - Jun Note Z: Total Mortality, F: Fishing Mortality and M: Natural Mortality, Flim is the targeted limit Fishing Mortality, F/F lim is Exploitation ratio and SBR is mean relative adult stock size. Status 12 Overexploited (O; SBR < 30%) 2 Exploited within sustainable levels (S: 30% < SBR < 40%) 14 Underexploited (U; SBR > 40%) Table 2 The key species status summary, updated per March 2017.

28 24 KPI - SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION INDEX (SEI) The Sustainable Exploitation Index (SEI) is a KPI that describes the proportion of the total catch landed that consists of sustainably exploited species, estimated each year, and defined as: SEI = (Total sustainable catch/total assessed catch) x 100 Total sustainable catch is the annual landed catch (mt) of species for which stock assessments have been undertaken and classified as either sustainable or under exploited. 7.6% in 2015 to 5.7% in This is caused by a further increase in the landing volume of over exploited species relative to the sustainable exploited species. With the exception of the year 2008, which saw a dramatic increase in the landings of Beyah Arabi (Valamugil seheli), the average Sustainable Exploitation Index is 15.0% over the period The Sustainable Exploitation indicator is well below the target level, and calls for stringent management measures to limit the further removal of threatened over-exploited species in the waters of the UAE. Total assessed catch is the total annual landed catch (mt) of all species for which stock assessments have been undertaken. The SEI threshold value is set at 70%, while the target value is set at 100%. The SEI is an important fisheries management performance indicator, closely monitored by the General Secretariat of the Executive Council in Abu Dhabi (GSEC). The GSEC target for 2016 was set at 14%, but the actual value dropped from 3 Target rational: The threshold target is directly related to the UAE National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan ( ): TARGET 4.1. By 2021, at least 70% of important and vulnerable living marine resources are managed sustainably.

29 % Sustainable Exploitation ( ) 60.0% SE (%) 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% SE (%) 14.5% 18.8% 20.8% 32.6% 23.2% 17.3% 18.7% 14.0% 12.6% 12.8% 7.6% 5.7% Threshold 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% 70% Figure 29 - Sustainable Exploitation Index (SEI) from 2005 to Year Sustainably exploited A , , Over exploited B 4, , , , , , , , , , , ,479.2 Total assessed C 5, , , , , , , , , , , ,691.2 Total Catch D 6, , , , , , , , , , , ,438.5 Sustainable Exploitation (%) A/C 14.5% 18.8% 20.8% 32.6% 23.2% 17.3% 18.7% 14.0% 12.6% 12.8% 7.6% 5.7% Table 3 Sustainable Exploitation time series

30 26 KPI - MEAN RELATIVE ADULT STOCK SIZE (MEAN SBR) The mean relative adult stock size for 3 key species (Mean SBR) is a proxy for the adult stock size used to evaluate the status of fisheries resources. It is routinely calculated on an annual basis for the three most important commercially exploited species in the demersal fishery of Abu Dhabi; Epinephelus coioides (Hamour), Lethrinus nebulosus (Shaari), and Diagramma pictum (Farsh). The indicator is derived from population models with input parameters that relate to population dynamics (e.g. growth rate and the age at maturity) and fishery characteristics (e.g. the age at first capture and fishing mortality rate), as follows: Meta analyses of the relationships between stock sizes and recruitment have produced biological reference points against which the SBR is compared in order to infer the status of the population (if it is over-exploited or not). The target reference point is a Mean SBR of 40% and the limit threshold reference point is a Mean SBR of 30%, below which management should avoid in order to prevent stock declines. The mean SBR indicator for 2016 increased from 6.6% in 2015 to 8.4% in 2016, and remains well below the critical endangered level of 10%, below which level stocks are considered severely over-exploited. SBR = tmax NtWtGt t=0 Where: SBR = Relative spawner biomass per recruit tmax = the maximum observed age in the fishery Nt = the number of fish surviving to age t Wt = the mean weight at age t Gt = the fraction of mature fish at age t 4 The Spawner Biomass per Recruit (SBR) is a proxy for the adult fish stock size that directly reflects the resource status when compared to target (40%) and limit (30%) biological reference points that are recognised as international fisheries management conventions. This is a commonly used international convention for fisheries management. Meta analyses indicate that ground fish (demersal) stocks can be exploited sustainably without normal reproductive processes being impaired if the adult stock size is reduced to 40% of its virgin, unexploited size (SBR = 40%).

31 27 Spawning Biomass per Recruit (%) Spawner Biomass per Recruit time series Target Mean SBR Hamour Limit Mean SBR Shaari Farsh Mean Year Figure 30 Mean relative adult stock size (Mean SBR) from 2001 to SBR (%) Year Limit Target Hamour Shaari Farsh Mean Table 4 Spawner Biomass per Recruit (SBR) time series.

32 28 AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION This bulletin provides information on Abu Dhabi s aquaculture sector as it stands today in terms of production in volume and value. In 2016, there were 9 permitted aquaculture operations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi contributing to a total aquaculture production of tons of seafood with a farm gate value of approximately AED 12.3 million. Production was dominated by White Indian Shrimp (Penaeus indicus) and non-native freshwater Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). unlicensed small-scale farms produce tilapia in the Liwa Oasis area of the Al Dhafra region. Only nine ventures currently operate with all of the mandated permits and licenses, and two of the nine are yet to start production. There is one large-scale farm producing sturgeon in an intensive recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and another producing shrimp near Abu Dhabi city. There is also two medium scale aquaponics farms producing tilapia with vegetables in a symbiotic environment in Bani Yas and Al Faya. In addition, there are two small-scale tilapia farms; one in Al Ain and the other in Liwa. (Figure 32) AQUACULTURE LANDSCAPE OF ABU DHABI In 2016, there were approximately 34 identified aquaculture operations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Among these, about 25 Figure 31 -Production was dominated by White Indian Shrimp (Penaeus indicus) in Abu Dhabi.

33 Figure 32 - Locations of the permitted aquaculture farms in Abu Dhabi

34 30 TOTAL AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION AND VALUE IN 2016 At approximately tons in 2016, aquaculture in Abu Dhabi is modest. White Indian shrimp (Penaeus indicus) is the principal species produced, accounting for 83% of output (312 mt). Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and sturgeon (Acipencer baerii) contributed 37 mt and 10.8 mt respectively to the total Abu Dhabi Emirate aquaculture production in Other species include seabream (Sparus aurata) (8 mt), seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (4 mt), barramundi (Lates calcarifer) (2 mt) and koi (Cyprinus carpio) (1 mt). Figure 32 shows that the total farm gate value associated with aquaculture production in 2016 was approximately 12.3 million AED from 6 operations (4 tilapia farms and two largescale farms producing shrimp and caviar). Shrimp accounted for 9.4 million AED of this total, while the other species generated about 2,9 million AED. It is worth mentioning that approximately 25 unlicensed small-scale tilapia farms are not reported. Therefore, the contribution of small-scale production to the sector is potentially undervalued. The aquaculture production reached a peak in 2015 at mt before falling a little in 2016 to mt, which is similar to the aquaculture production in 2014 (Figure 33). This decrease in production, which was accompanied by a similar decrease in revenues, is due to the financial challenges that faced the aquaculture producers in 2016, which in turn effected their production. Total Value of Aquaculture produckon (AED Million) Shrimp Caviar Others Sturgeon Tilapia Value (AED) 9,360,000 1,862, , , ,000 Figure -33 Total Aquaculture production in 2016

35 31 Total Produc8on (t) Total Value (Million AED) 14,000,000 12,460,700 12,339, Figure - 34 Total aquaculture production and value in Abu Dhabi Emirate from 2014 to 2016 AquaTechnologies is considered the world's largest caviar farm

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