Cairo – September 2000

Abstract

Most exploited Arab marine fisheries are exposed to threats that affect the sustainability of their resources. This is due, on the one hand, to overfishing and, on the other, to environmental pollution.

Many Arab countries apply a range of administrative instruments in managing their fisheries and combating pollution. These instruments aim to control fisheries through bans or restrictions imposed by the relevant administrative authorities.

Despite the importance of these instruments, practical experience has shown their limited effectiveness in achieving their objectives due to difficulties in enforcement and the lack of sufficient flexibility to deal with changing situations and conditions. Therefore, it has become essential to use other tools that are more effective, faster in impact, and more flexible in rationalizing fisheries management and protecting them from pollution.

Economic instruments are considered the most appropriate means to achieve these goals, as they influence investors’ decisions by affecting the net return from the activity. Thus, they allow investors the freedom to choose the decisions they believe will maximize their economic benefits. In addition, they generate revenues that can be redirected to finance fisheries management and protection.

The application of economic instruments is a complement to administrative instruments, not a substitute for them.

Introduction

Arab marine fisheries are the main source of fish production in the Arab world, contributing about 80% of total Arab fish production. Despite the abundance of fish stocks in Arab marine fisheries—estimated to range between 5.5 and 7.8 million tons—the proportion currently exploited varies between approximately 32% and 45%.

Moreover, exploited fisheries are not utilized in a balanced and rational manner. Demersal fish, mollusk, and crustacean fisheries are subject to overfishing, while many pelagic fisheries are still exploited below the allowable fishing levels permitted by their stocks.

Coastal marine ecosystems (such as coral reefs, mangroves, lagoons, wetlands, and seagrass beds) in many Arab countries are exposed to serious disturbances as a result of unsound human practices. These include the discharge of pollutants into seawater, destruction of mangroves and coral reefs, dredging and land reclamation for tourism projects, oil exploration and extraction, and the establishment of various facilities. Such activities leave harmful impacts on ecosystems that serve as feeding and breeding grounds for most marine organisms.

The current status of Arab marine fisheries shows that most major commercial fish stocks require improved management systems. The existing challenge lies in how to manage these fisheries in a way that achieves full and sustainable utilization of resources while ensuring economic efficiency and a fair distribution of social benefits and burdens arising from their protection and conservation.