Page 49 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

UAE

SHEIKH KHALIFA MARINE RESEARCH CENTRE DELIVERS 600,000

FISH FINGERLINGS TO AQUACULTURE COMPANIES IN THE UAE

Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research Centre in the UAE , including Emirates National
has delivered 600,000 fish fingerlings to Fish Farming Company” Her Excellency
a number of aquaculture companies in added. “Work is ongoing to develop
the UAE, including Emirates National the hatchery and employ advanced
Fish Farming Company, as part of the technologies to enhance its productivity
UAE’s efforts to develop the sector as in the future, and increasingly grow our
a means to support the nation’s food production capacity, while adhering
security plans. to the highest sustainability standards.
The shipment is the first following the Preserving our resources from waste
full renovation process the centre had and protecting our marine environment
undertaken to enhance its hatchery, with are a non-negotiable commitment for
the initial batch comprising European us.”
seabream, of which a number will be In April 2021, H.E Almheiri signed international standards. The MoU aims
raised in the aquaculture companies’ an agreement with Fish Farms LLC, to boost the hatchery’s productivity
cages. represented by its CEO Bader bin and upgrade the quality of the fish
Mubarak, to operate and maintain fingerlings it produces to be supplied
the Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research to aquaculture farms around the country
Centre’s hatchery in Umm Al-Quwain – a central component of the UAE’s food
in accordance with the highest security system.

Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in UAE
(2019-2020)

Item Value Flag Value Flag
Almonds, with shell 1337 1123 Im
Fish Farm LLC – the company in charge Bananas 278 254 Im
of the management, operation, and
maintenance of Sheikh Khalifa Marine Beans, green 3103 2303 Im
Research Centre – is working to enhance Cabbages and other brassicas 25413 18786 Im
operations to reach full operational Carrots and turnips 96 184 Im
capacity in one month, in time to support Caulif owers and broccoli 18623 14269 Im
the upcoming fish farming season. The
company has set a comprehensive plan Chillies and peppers, green 5183 4471 Im
to produce more than 7 million fish Cucumbers and gherkins 91903 57052 Im
fingerlings of various species, including Dates 341246 328669 Im
seabream, hammour, seabass and cobia, Eggplants (aubergines) 26982 27367 Im
among others. Figs 1516 927 Im
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri,
Minister of Climate Change and Fruit, citrus nes 4706 5853 Im
Environment said: “The development of Fruit, fresh nes 1132 4830 Im
fisheries is a top priority for the UAE. Grapes 36 Im 36 Im
It is a key component in our plans to Lemons and limes 7584 8547 Im
enhance our food security and increase
our annual food production. The Sheikh Lettuce and chicory 107 329 Im
Khalifa Marine Research Centre’s Maize 26072 15978 Im
hatchery is an important instrument in Mangoes, mangosteens, guavas 8156 6382 Im
achieving these objectives; the facility Melons, other (inc.cantaloupes) 4086 3236 Im
boasts an enormous capacity to produce
nearly 30 million fish fingerlings per Okra 850 1415 Im
year in two stages. This demonstrates Onions, shallots, green 26696 Im 26978 Im
the hatchery’s great ability to supply Potatoes 4193 4238 Im
aquaculture farms around the country Pumpkins, squash and gourds 21436 19558 Im
with top-quality fingerlings in
preparation for their breeding and entry Spinach 2648 Im 2651 Im
to the market.” Tobacco, unmanufactured 315 Im 315 Im
“We are delighted to be delivering Tomatoes 60081 43121 Im
the first shipment of fingerlings from the Vegetables, fresh nes 28032 14525 Im
fully renovated and developed hatchery Watermelons 2479 2737 Im
to a number of aquaculture companies
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology | Source: FAO Statistical Division 2021
Arab Agriculture 2022 47