Ras Al Khaimah: Authorities here on Monday seized huge quantities of rare oysters which have been banned from sale. The oysters were seized in Al Halila, Khor Khowair and Al Rams.
The oysters known locally as doch, along with another type of oyster known as hama, were seized from several Emirati and Indian fishermen who had been found selling them at exorbitant prices.
The authorities received a tip-off that several of these fishermen had been selling small quantities of the oysters to selected customers who had offered to pay as much as Dh600 to Dh700 per kilogram for them.
The inspectors carried out an inspection at the emirate's fish markets in which several fishermen and labourers were caught selling the oysters, which are facing extinction.
Sources here said a ban has been imposed on selling and trading the oysters and the fishermen are only authorised to catch the oysters for their own use.
The sources added that all the oysters were seized and the violators would be punished.
They explained that the violators will have to pay a Dh500 fine and their names will be blacklisted. The fine will be doubled should the same violation be repeated.
Big demand
The doch is locally known as "natural Viagra" and so is in big demand and those who have it can sell it on the spot.
The sources stressed that customers for the oysters are always ready to pay for whatever quantities the fishermen and labourers have.
The fishermen and labourers usually take advantage of religious and national occasions to catch whatever they can of the oysters to make the maximum profit assuming that the authorities are not keeping a close eye on their performance.
Emiratis, in particular, are greatly interested in buying the oysters as they say that they have eaten them in the past but their children have not been given the chance to try them.
The sources said the oysters usually stay on the water's surface and the fishermen use a quiet fishing method to catch them before they go deep into the water.
The fishermen usually turn off the engines of their fishing boats to catch the oysters.
The Frontier and Coast Guard patrols are monitoring the national waters to detain people who violate the ban.
|
