Ministry of Environment to 'Asharq Al-Awsat': Development of 16 Fishing Ports to Enhance Food Security

The volume of fishery production in Saudi Arabia increased in 2023 to reach 214,600 tons, up from 119,000 tons in 2022, representing an 80% rise. The target for 2024 is 230,000 tons.

These figures were revealed by Eng. Hussein Al-Nazari, Director General of the General Department of Fisheries at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

He stated that the ministry is working on developing 16 fishing ports in various coastal regions of the Kingdom as an initial phase. This initiative aims to boost marine fisheries production, increase the number of Saudi fishermen, contribute to national food security, improve the quality of food products, and create both direct and indirect jobs in facilities associated with these ports. This will be achieved through partnerships with the private sector, encouraging investment in small and medium-sized projects at the marine ports, and adding value for fishermen by improving fish handling and processing quality, which will contribute to increasing the Gross Domestic Product.

Al-Nazari noted that the quality of farmed fish in the Kingdom (according to a scientific study) surpasses that of imported fish in terms of nutritional value and health safety. Local products are distinguished by preserving their nutritional benefits due to quality handling and a short supply chain until they reach the consumer.

He indicated that the self-sufficiency rate of fishery resources in the Kingdom is estimated at around 53%, emphasizing the ministry’s goal to increase this percentage by enhancing fish farming quality, introducing new species favored by consumers, and maintaining optimal sustainability levels in marine fisheries supply chains.

Increasing Exports

Al-Nazari added that the ministry has taken several steps to address the challenges facing the fishery sector by finding studied solutions, improving practices, stimulating the sector, simplifying procedures, providing enablers, building necessary systems, and developing capacities. Additionally, the ministry has enacted legislation to develop the fishery industry in collaboration with major companies to provide integrated infrastructure, and with smaller companies to enhance production and marketing opportunities, which directly impacts investment growth.

He also mentioned that the fishery sector receives significant support and attention from the government due to its importance in achieving food security, supporting local output, and increasing exports. In this context, the National Program for the Development of the Livestock and Fishery Sector has signed numerous cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with various local and international entities and companies in the fields of marine fishing, closed aquaculture systems, and fish product marketing.