The Consumer Protection Department of the UAE Ministry of Economy, in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Water, discussed with representatives from UAE’s fishermen associations, the various issues and challenges facing the fishing sector and the recent recommendation of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection aimed at regulating the fishing business and stabilising market prices. The meeting was chaired by Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of Consumer Protection Department, and representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Dubai Department of Economic Development.
The participants discussed the need to apply best practices in order to enhance the trust of the fishermen on the various associations in the UAE by providing the needed support including logistics and equipment for fishermen. They also emphasized the importance of creating balance in the market between traders and consumers.
A committee to study the challenges facing the fishing sector in the UAE will be formed which will present a detailed report to the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Environment and Water in order to tackle the issues and develop the performance of the sector.
Participants also discussed the reasons behind the fall in fish prices and the Ministry’s of Economy role in this aspect by coordinating with the Ministry of Environment to provide inspectors and monitor fish prices in the UAE markets.
Dr Al Nuaimi said the Ministry of Economy is coordinating at the high levels with the Ministry of Environment and Water to assign inspectors all over the UAE’s fish markets to regulate the business and to create a balance between traders and consumers, He said that both ministries will build a data base to study price fluctuations and transfer the findings to the Supreme Committee to take appropriate action.
Dr Al Nuaimi said that as per the Federal Consumer Protection law 24, 2006, the Ministry of Economy of Economy is committed to protect consumer rights and create stability in the markets.
