Fishermen call for amenities at port
New facility in Umm Al Quwain ‘not satisfactory’
UMM AL QUWAIN // Fishermen are worried about a lack of basic amenities such as water and electricity at a port they have been relocated to.
They also reported that vessels were damaged in the two weeks since they moved from Al Khor Port to Al Naqaa in Al Meydan. The boats were damaged in stormy weather because the breakwater was lower than the waves, said Hussein Al Hajri, president of Umm Al Quwain Cooperative Society for Fishermen.
“The breakwater does not protect the harbour from the force of the waves. Two weeks ago, when the weather was stormy, about 15 boats were damaged,” he said.
Fishermen in the emirate have asked the Government to address the lack of amenities such as water, electricity, lighting and storage space. “After we speak about the troubles we are facing, we hope to reach a solution and that the Government would take action because the place is not suitable. The old port was much better,” said Ahmad Youssef, 50, an Emirati fisherman of 20 years.
His main concern is a lack of storage space, which could result in damage to fishing equipment that could cost hundreds of thousands of dirhams.
“We need storage. There are about 25 spaces for more than 200 fishermen. We have no place to put our gear. We have to leave the nets on the sidewalk and that damages them because they are placed under the sunlight,” said Mr Youssef.
Fisherman Faisal Ali, 33, voiced similar misgivings. He owns four sets of nets that cost more than Dh200,000 each.
“If these nets get damaged, who will compensate us?” said Mr Ali, who has been in the trade for 15 years. “There is also no quay for loading and unloading the fishing equipment, especially nets, and that has led us to lay blankets and carpets on the rocky ground in order not to damage our nets.” Another fisherman, Fahad Mohammed, 45, said the port entrance was another concern.
“It’s too narrow and might cause crashes. Only one boat can go in or out at a time,” said the Emirati. “This causes congestion because all fishermen go for fishing at once and come back at the same time, so we are asking for an expansion.” Mr Mohammed said that a lack of accommodation for labourers cost boat operators Dh30 for taxis each day.
Fellow fisherman Saif Salem wants the authorities to set up a fence around the port, install surveillance cameras and provide security guards to prevent pilfering.
Fishermen also said they needed restrooms, fridges for storing fish, ice stores and fresh water for cleaning their boat engines.