Pearl Diving and Fishing in the United Arab Emirates - Research Paper Example

 PEARL DIVING AND FISHING IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Introduction Over a period of four decades the most treasured pearls were removed from the waters within the Arabian Gulf which is a region that exists between the Arabian Peninsula and the region of South West Asia. The other term for the Arabian Gulf in Arabic is known as al-Khaleej al-Arabi; a region that is connected towards the Arabian Sea by the Hormuz straights. The Geographical measurement of the Arabian Gulf is estimated to be approximately 615 miles in length and 210 miles width; it covers an area of 93,000 sq. miles. Reasons for Pearl Mining Pearl mining is an ancient economic activity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the United Arab Emirates is composed of Seven Sheikhdoms that exists on the South Eastern area next to the Arabian Peninsula. Pearl mining has been a major economic activity in this region and its development as economic activity was driven by several factors (al-Ali 2008). One of the main reasons for mining pearl in the in United Arab Emirates was due to the fact that this region occupies a relatively arid land with vast pieces of land with covered with bared sandy soils. This made the region unsuitable for agricultural production hence creating the need for the other alternative means of living. Majority of the UAE initially concentrated their efforts to seek food and water than on looking for money; barter trade was the most common form of trade at that time. In some occasions some of the families resorted to fishing in the ocean and were able to find several pieces of pearl which they later utilized as a material for barter trade. The use of pearl as a commodity for barter trade led to an increased mining of the pearl (al-Ali 2008). The growth of India in the years between the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries characterized by barter trade also resulted to an increased need of pearls as commodity for barter trade. During this period famous merchants were responsible for the provision of capital that were used to equip boats and ships for mining pearl, in return they were given the biggest share of the pearls. T he remaining share of the pearl was distributed among the captains of the mining vessel and his crew. The essence of pearl mining offered an opportunity for accumulating high quantities of wealth in cases where one identified high quality pearls. It is estimated that the price of one pearl in the early 1920’s was 15,000 sterling pounds, a value that is currently rated at three hundred and fifty thousand sterling pounds (al-Ali 2008). The high rates in the demand of pearl as a treasure and a commodity for barter trade led to increased of population in the region as more people began settling in the area with intentions of pearl mining. These populations become more influential especially on the regions of Dubai and the Abu Dhabi; some of these populations lived along the coasts of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai temporarily during the four month period of pearl mining but, later would return to the deserts to spend their winters (al-Ali 2008). Modus Operandi of the Pearl Industry The miners used boats which were propelled by the use of heavy oars under the guidance of two men; the mining exercise was majorly conducted at night. The use of nay mechanical equipment to mine pearls is prohibited and the ancient methodologies of diving are currently still in operation. Pearl Diving The divers are provided with clip that takes the shape of a clothe peg which they utilize to close their nostrils; they are also provided with leather sheaths which offers protection to their fingers as they remove the shells under the rocks from the bottom of the sea. Another sheath is used to protect the biggest foot toe of the diver from the rocks underneath; divers also use ropes to descend in the bottom of the sea, these ropes are tide on a stone which is later hauled when the diver reaches at the bottom of the sea (al-Ali 2008). Additionally, a string bag is a tide using a rope around the neck of he divers which they use a container to fill shells; after a period of one and half minutes, the divers are pulled back to the surface by their colleagues. The shells are placed on the decks during daytime and are opened in the evenings under the strict supervision of the vessel captain who is also responsible for the storage of the pearls removed from the shells (al-Ali 2008). When it comes to payments, the divers are not given any wages or pearls but are given a certain share of the profits accrued fro m the sales of the pearls in amounts that double the amounts of the pullers; this is because it is believed that there duties are more strenuous. Consequently, the divers are also not allowed to take any meal during their operations (Allowed to eat only early in the morning and late at night). Challenges facing the divers Despite the fact that the pearl industry promotes the reduction of poverty among the local and external miners, it has also been identified as a threat to the physical and the financial well-being of the divers. The financial challenges among the divers occur when they spend longer periods in the sea and take loans from the owners of the vessels with a promise to return in the next season; however, if pearl mining in the following season does not succeed, then it means that the divers will still ne held in debt (al-Ali 2008). Diving also poses several health challenges to the miners as they may undergo injuries from the rocks underneath, injuries resulting from attacks by aquatic animals such as the poisonous jelly fish, scorpions, sharks and even dangerous aquatic plants. An oyster containing pearl Fishing in the United Arab Emirates The fish industry in the United Arab Emirate offers a very pertinent source of food as well as fodder to its populace; most of fish products are consumed locally in Abu Dhabi which is located on the coastline of the UAE. The city of Abu Dhabi takes the shape of a T-shaped isle with a measurement of eight hundred feet major land (Morelock 2010). Fishing License In order to conduct fishing activities in Abu Dhabi, local fishermen as well as visitors are required to obtain fishing licenses from the local authority. Visitors are provided with a license that is valid for a period of seven days and stipulates that the visitors are allowed to use hand lines or even reel rods. On the other hand, the locals are provided with an annual fishing permit that covers even traditional fishing methods. The various tour guide companies in Abu Dhabi are also provided with several fishing licenses for their clients hence visitors may not be forced to acquire the licenses from the local authority (Morelock 2010). Fish Products in the economy of United Arab Emirate The annual per capita utilization of fish and shellfish as well as their products in all the cities in the United Arab Emirates is relatively higher than in other Middle East States. The United Arab Emirates is also blessed with coastal waters that are situated next to two very potential fishing zones, the Oman and the Persian Gulfs. Recent research have shown that over seventy percent of the fish and fish products are processed through drying and converted forms that are utilized as animal feeds as well as crop fertilizer. The research also indicates that in year 2000, over 105,456 tons of fish caught and served almost half of the population in the United Arab Emirates. Fishing Techniques There are various fishing techniques ranging from traditional to modern employed by the local fishermen and visitors. Modern fishing technologies involve the use of large boats with massive fishing nets, lines as well as reel rods. Traditional methods are also used and they include techniques such as the use of baskets, hand catching, diving and the use of hand lines. These methods are all under the supervision of the government who has the responsibility to provide permits authorizing the use of each method. Role of the Government in the UAE fishing Industry The UAE government has been playing an important role by providing the local fishermen with modern fishing equipment; the government also provides permits that allow various fishing facet such as the use of large fishing boats and massive fishing nets. Moreover, the UAE government provides equipment that is used by the fishermen to maintain their fishing materials; this equipment is sometimes provided in terms of loans free of interests. Research has shown that approximately three thousand vessels are used to conduct fishing activities on an annual basis in the UAE (Codrai 1998). Common Fish Species in the UAE Various types of fish that are presented to the local markets in the UAE are; the sardines, red mullet, rock cod, mackerel, tuna, anchovies, snapper, jack, bream, marlin and the hammour which is the most common in the fish market of the Abu Dhabi (Morelock 2010). References Codrai, R. (1998). UAE: A New Perspecive. Detroit, MI: Lexington. Morelock, J. (2010). Fishing in Abu Dhabu, United Arab Emirate. Abu Dhabi: Demand Media. al-Ali, M. (2009). Pearl Diving. Dubai: Tritend Press. Read More