The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has imposed the annual fishing and trade ban on sharks from 1 March that will continue until 30 June. The ban helps in alleviating the pressure on sharks due to overfishing and will prevent habitat degradation.
The ban also prohibits the import and re-export of shark fins in any other form, excluding fins that are imported for scientific purposes, with approval from the Ministry.
Halima Al Jasmi, Head of the Fisheries Section at MoCCAE said, "The seasonal ban on shark fishing and trade aligns with the Ministry’s strategic goal of preserving ecosystems and marine life, as it helps sustain the population of the species through giving them time to reproduce."