JEDDAH, 7 September 2006 — Environmental experts in Jeddah have raised concerns about the possible extinction of a species of sea snails that breed along the Red Sea coastline saying that stringent measures need to be in place for their safety.
The environmentalists attribute this dangerous situation largely to the unscrupulous collecting of snails by expatriate workers and also pollution on the coastal regions. The Agricultural Ministry has made it clear that the selling of such snails and crabs in the fish market across Saudi Arabia is banned.
Officials say that while collecting them people end up destroying their habitats.
Mukhtar Miah, a Bangladeshi fisherman in Jeddah, said, “Some of these Indonesians and Filipinos come and collect these snails which the authorities have banned from being collected. Apparently, they taste well when fried with boiled rice.”
The fisheries department has taken several measures to protect the marine ecology and the species that face extinction. It has also launched campaigns among fishermen along the Red Sea to enlighten them on the need of protecting marine life. Inspection teams visit the coastal regions to monitor unscientific fishing methods that would eventually lead to the extinction of snails and other sea fauna.
The environmentalists demand the setting up of an inspection team to monitor the markets in order to stop the sale of prohibited sea creatures including sea snakes, crabs and snails and punish those that violate the regulations.
Studies are also being undertaken to find out other factors that lead to the depletion in the number of sea creatures in the region.
The rapid demographic and urban expansion in the region is believed to be another factor that is threatening the safety of various marine species.
Mohammad, a fisherman from Myanmar, said, “A large number of expatriates without any knowledge of the basics of fishing and no care for the growth of small fishes and other creatures fish in the region upsetting the environment. They do not allow the small fishes caught in the net to return to the sea.”
About 100,000 tons of fish is consumed in the Kingdom while the local production only meets 54 percent of the demand, according to figures issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.
With the aim of meeting the country’s requirements in full the ministry has taken steps to protect and increase the fish resources in the Kingdom. The measures include stopping the fishing methods that would destroy marine resources in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf such as fishing during the breeding seasons.
Some Asian expatriates have also been fishing for crabs and selling them in the market believing that they are rich sources of vitamins.
