CICPA organises awareness meet on maritime safety, security

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

CICPA – the governmental entity responsible for maintaining the safety and protecting the critical infrastructure of the coast of the country – organized awareness meetings for fishermen all over the UAE, within the framework of the Bihar campaign. Entitled “Follow the Rules to Fish Safely “, the meetings aim to promote awareness of maritime safety and the laws and regulations in force, and to learn about fishermen’s suggestions and complaints.
The meetings are a contribution from CICPA to enhance the awareness of the fishermen to be active contributors in the protection of the marine environment. Furthermore, these meetings assert on the necessity to adhere to the concepts of protecting the marine environment by avoiding fishing in prohibited areas and not using prohibited fishing equipment.
The Authority makes unremitting efforts in order to promote maritime safety and security and the preservation of the marine environment in order to make such valuable concepts inherent values to all sea goers, including fishermen.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting: ensuring the boat’s safety before sailing, the necessity of having a working maritime safety device, the availability of a life jacket for each person on the boat, the presence of torches to be used in case of emergency to attract attention, a working fire extinguisher, the inspection of the anchor and ropes before heading out, and ensuring that there is a nautical radio that supports VHF-Channel 16 to hear the weather conditions on board.
Furthermore, the meetings insisted on the prohibition of the use of banned material, nets, and equipment in fishing living aquatic resources to avoid fines and legal violation. It is also prohibited to extract shellfishes, sponges, and corals from the bottom of the sea. In addition, it is banned to fish turtles, dolphins, and marine mammals of all kinds, and killing, catching, possessing, or trading marine birds. Also, fishermen have to avoid fishing or being present in areas which are classified as prohibited, such as marine reserves. At the end of the awareness meetings, it has been recalled that fishermen should call 996 in case of emergency and that they should ask for CICPA help.
It is worth mentioning that the objective of CICPA is a part of its modern strategic plan that seeks to keep up with the developments through which it can explore the prospects of the future. CICPA achieves its objective by applying the highest safety and protection standards represented in taking all the necessary measures to protect critical places from any potential or unexpected threat that may cause harm or disrupt their work. Therefore, CICPA is considered as the fortified fence protecting the nation’s prosperity.