MME to provide cost-free fuel and ice to 830 fishing vessels

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has signed agreements with a number of local companies to provide cost-free fuel and ice to 830 fishing boats and vessels operating in the Qatari sea.

The multi-million Qatari Riyal initiative aims to reduce the operation cost of fishermen to encourage them to carry out their business as it attached great importance to ensure food security in the country.

MME has signed the agreements with Qatar Fuel Company, Woqod, Al Wakrah Port Ice Factory, and Doha Import and Export Center (DIEC) in a ceremony held yesterday at the Ministry headquarters.

Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs at MME, Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani said that Ministry would provide a package of support to fishing boats and vessels.  “The package includes refrigerators, biodegradable plastic bags and other things which fishermen need, in addition to the agreements which were signed today to provide fuel and ice,” said Sheikh Dr. Faleh. 

“Under the agreements, a programme will be implemented for three years (2021-23) to provide premium petrol to 350 fishing boats and diesel to 480 fishing vessels which are active in making hunting trips,” said Director of Fish Wealth Department at MME, Abdulaziz Al Dehaimi.

He added that electronic chips would be installed in the fuel tanks of boats and vessels. 

Speaking about the mechanism to provide fuel, Al Dehaimi said Woqod would provide fuel to beneficiary fishing boats and vessels at the cost of QR16.8m.

He said that two types of ice would be provided to ensure the quality of fish and reduce the wastage of fish. Fishing vessels will receive ice cubes, and fishing boats will get crushed ice which will help maintain the fish product quality.

Al Dehaimi said the ice cube and crushed ice would be provided at over QR12.9m. Al Wakrah Port Ice Factory will provide ice to fishermen in Al Khor and Al Ruwais ports at the cost of over QR8.3m. Doha Import and Export Center (DIEC) will cover Al Wakra Port and Doha jetty under an agreement worth over QR4.6m.

“The Ministry is preparing a list of fishing boats and vessels for the support programme, which is part of a major plan to help the fishermen for the development of the country’s fish sector,” said Al Dehaimi.

Speaking about the rules and regulations to avail the support, he said that fishing boats and vessels should carry valid licenses. 

“The vessels should be active in making fishing trips at least two trips in a month and 24 trips in a year. The fishing boats should make 84 trips in a year. Applicants should have good records in adhering to the law related to protecting the marine life and without a violation during the past one year,” said Al Dehaimi.