Oman imports keep UAQ fish market full after offshore oil spill forces pause
At the Umm Al Quwain Fish Market, stalls remain stocked with daily catches despite local fishing boats staying tied to the docks. A seven-day ban on local sea trips following an offshore tanker oil spill disrupted usual routines, but daily shipments arriving from Oman and other parts of the country have kept vendor counters filled with nearly all common fish varieties.
Daily Oman imports prevent shortages as coastal fishing remains on hold
Jassim Humaid Ghanem, head of the Umm Al Quwain Fishermen’s Association, confirmed that the seven-day local fishing halt caused a slight drop in local fish supplies and pushed up prices for select varieties. However, steady supply lines from Oman and alternative regional suppliers prevented widespread shortages while local crews were barred from heading out to sea.
The offshore tanker spill was identified by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment as the source of fuel-like odours reported by residents across Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, and Ajman. The ministry confirmed that the odours pose no health risk to residents, while containment, cleanup, and remediation operations began immediately in coordination with local and federal teams.
Precautionary measures expanded rapidly along the northern coast. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain while technical teams complete assessments and establish safety protocols. Nearby jurisdictions took similar steps, with Sharjah temporarily closing Al Hamriya Beach as a precaution and Ras Al Khaimah closing all beaches until further notice.
Fishermen and other sea users have been directed by authorities to follow official instructions and strictly avoid fishing in affected marine zones. Authorities continue to conduct coastal monitoring, surveys, and environmental assessments to track the full extent of the spill and protect marine life.
Containment and cleanup efforts remain underway across affected coastal zones as technical teams finish safety evaluations before local marine activities can resume.
