Prepared By:

Preface

This report illustrates the methods of fishing by beach nets ( Dhagwa) in the Eastern Region, the quantity of one fishery, estimations of value per ton and the methods used in marketing and selling.

 The Report is Divided into two Parts as Follows

• The First Chapter: includes general information about the Eastern Region and describes fishing by beach nets in general.
•  The Second Chapter: provides important information about studies of fishing grounds. It also shows the number of laboring, average quantities of fishing by using beach nets(Dhagwa), its value and marketing and clarifying layouts as well.

 Information mentioned in this report were collected through meetings with fishermen, direct follow up of fishing operations and pay visits to the sites for drying the fishes.

Chapter I: General Information

The Eastern Coasts of UAE

The length of the eastern coasts of UAE reach to 90 km and the depths of water range from 20 – 100 meter, they are surrounded by adjoining chains of mountains.

Picture No. 1

The coasts start from the northern part of Dibba city and ends in the north by Kalba city. The coastal soil are characterized with their dark color unlike the soil of the western coast which contain white color soil. Rocks and coral reefs are rare in the bottom of these waters and the territorial waters extend to 12 nautical mile.

Fishing by beach nets ( Dhagwa) in the Eastern Region

Fishing by Dhagwa is kind of fishing by nets that seek to catch the gathering of fish schools near the shores siege and dodge them to enter the nets which take the shape of a bag and have very small holes. Later on, the beach nets (Dhagwa) are drawn to the beach using long robes. The mouth of the net is tied up tightly to avoid the sneaking of fishes which are carried in a bag shaped nets for sale. The idea of fishing by beach net (Dhagwa) is varied in different regions of the UAE

 The long distance between the Fishing ground and the beaches of the eastern region is a privilege especially that the bottoms of the sea in the coastal areas are free from the coral reefs and rocks which hinder the drawing of the nets. Previously the fishermen used to draw these nets by themselves. These nets need 130 fishermen and hours of hard work to draw the nets to the beach. At present 4 wheel cars are used instead particularly that the quantities of fishes are big when compared by the catch in the Western Region

Kinds of Fishing Gear

Small fishing boats are used to cast nets due to their flexibility, maneuvering and speed. Engine's power used in these boats have 75HP. Small hole's nets are used to restrain Sardine fish ( Sardinella longiceps) while the dark colored and big holes nets are used for frightening and urging fishes towards the small holes nets. The length of the single robe used for drawing the net reaches to 1 kilometer while the minimum length of trailing robes will reach to 2 kilometers.

The net used for emptying the catch of small fishes is called (Farwa or Tabka) (picture No. 3). It can contain 100 kg of fishes . Fishing operation usually takes about 6 hours.

Picture No. 2	Picture No. 3	Picture No. 4

Species of Caught fishes by Dhagwa

Fishes which are usually caught by beach nets:

• Sardine (Sardinella longiceps picture No. 5 ). The species referred to here has local name (Zenabah) caught during Winter Season. Another kind of Sardine has the local name
• (Rahzow) caught during Summer Season.
• Aljashei, Albarya ( Stolephorus indicus Photo No. 6)
• The catching may include some other demersal and immigrant fishes but in little quantities if compared Sardine and Stolephorus unless the fishing was targeted to catch immigrant and demersal fishes during the high season.

Picture No. 5	Picture No. 6
Scheme for fishing by Dhagwa in the eastern region	Scheme for fishing steps by Dhagwa

Chapter II: Fishing by Dhagwa in the Eastern Region

Number of laboring

Laboring on fishing boat is consisting of the captain (Noukhatha) who should be UAE national and 10 labors

Picture No. 7

Quantity of Caching

The initial estimations indicate that the quantity of one catch by Dhagwa usually averages between 500 - 5000 kg of fresh fishes

The statistical year book of the Ministry of Environment and Water for the year 2000 recorded the quantity of catch by Dhagwa as follows:

Catch value

Catch value is estimated between Dhs 1000 – 3000 per ton according to the condition of the market and the fishing season. The rate price of fresh Sardine and Stolephorus indicus in the retail market may reach to Dhs 2500 per ton ( averaged 2.5 dirham per kilo). The rate price percentage of Stolephorus species increases by 25% than Sardine Species, while the rate price per bag of dry Sardine ( usually weighs 15kg ) is valued about twenty dirham.

Picture No. 8	Picture No. 9	Picture No. 10
Picture No. 11	Picture No. 12

Scheme of Catch Marketing

Scheme of Catch Marketing

Method of Marketing

When the quantities of the caught fishes are plentiful (see picture 8) they are directly transferred to the sites of drying and when the quantities were less in quantities, they are sold fresh in the retail market. Pictures No. 9 – 12 show some of the retail markets (Friday Market) where dry fishes are sold in bags and the ground dry fishes are sold in their pots.

Summary

The report aimed at clarifying the following points:

1. fishing method by Dhagwa in the Eastern Region.
2. Quantities of fishing in each catching.
3. The value of Sardine and Stolephorus species.
4. Methods of marketing and selling of these fishes.

The information mentioned in this report were collected in three ways:

1. Watching fishing works in the Eastern Coast.
2. Meetings with fishermen.
3. References.

We summarize the information included in this report as follows:

• The Study & Evaluation of Fish Storage Section recommends the renewal of this report periodically and to be published in brochure by the year 2005.
• The length of the Eastern Coast reaches to 90 km and the depth of the territorial waters to 100 meter.
• Fishing by Dhagwa means in other words using special sort of nets to circulate fish school and tighten the ends of the nets towards the shore.
• There are three ways of fishing by shore nets (Dhagwa). Fishing by Dhagwa in the Eastern Region is characterized by drawing the shore nets to the shore using four wheel cars due to the enough distance between the fishing ground and the coast and the length of the robe as well.
• Fishing by using beach nets Dhagwa depends completely on small fishing boats due to their speed and flexibility in maneuvering where circulating by nets needs higher efficiency to avoid the escape of fish.
• The length of Dhagwa's robes and beach nets is averaged between 3 – 5 km.
• Fishing operation takes about 6 hours.
• Fishing by Dhagwa mainly seek two species of fish, they are Sardinella longiceps and Stolephorus indicus however, the catching may include some demersal and immigrant species.

Recommendations

• Sardinella longiceps and Stolephorus species have to be included in the studies concerning fish storage due to their economic value.
• Instruct Fisheries offices in the Eastern Region and other regions to collect comprehensive periodical information about fishing by Dhagwa.
• To publish a reference book illustrates all types and methods of fishing in the UAE.

References

• Society of the UAE, Sociology Section University of the UAE.
• The National Atlas of the UAE 1993.
• Naser Hassan Alkaas Al Ali Fishes of the Emirates Bin Majid Folklore society.
• Fish in the UAE - Ministry of Environment & Water.
• Statistical Year Book – Ministry of Environment & Water.
• Fao, The Living Marine Resourses of KUWAIT, Eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE.