Khaberni - The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority announced a suspension of fishing in all its forms (commercial and recreational) starting from dawn on Thursday, January 1, 2026, through to the evening of Thursday, April 30, 2026.
This decision comes for the fourth consecutive year, as part of the Authority's efforts to conserve the fish stocks of native species in the Gulf of Aqaba and to protect them during the critical period of their life cycle, which involves egg laying and breeding. This is based on positive results demonstrated by previous fishing suspension seasons which have significantly improved the fish stocks.
The decision to suspend fishing was made in agreement and consultation with associations and entities involved in the fishing sector, reaffirming the partnership approach with the local community, and achieving a balance between protecting the marine environment and the sustainability of this vital sector.
Based on the fishing and aquatic life regulations in the Gulf of Aqaba number (Z/1) for the year 2020, and pursuant to clause (8) of article (1) from Annex (1/A) of these regulations, which states:
"Fishing is completely prohibited during the period from the beginning of January until the end of April every year."
Fishing suspension during the period mentioned above will be implemented as follows:
● Fishing of all types of native fish, whether from coastal or deep waters, in all permitted fishing locations, is prohibited.
● Licensed fishermen (commercial and recreational) and pleasure boats are allowed to fish for migratory species only during this period, which include:
● Various types of tuna fish (al-qamror, al-fatil, al-shakan)
● Seahorse fish, based on clause (9) of article (1) from Annex (1/A).
● Fishing is completely prohibited by tourist boats and glass-bottom boats.
● Fishing is completely prohibited by amateurs, visitors, and residents from the beach in all beaches, including the Aqaba Marine Reserve.
● Carrying metal traps (sakhawi) and gillnets (shwarat) is prohibited on licensed boats for commercial and recreational fishing, and only carrying nets designed for collecting and fishing bait, lines, and hooks is allowed.
Licensed fishermen who did not engage in fishing in any form will be compensated with an amount of 400 Jordanian Dinars per month from the start of the suspension until the end of the fishing suspension period.
The Authority emphasized the need to tighten monitoring and implement the above, ensuring compliance with the regulatory instructions for the fishing process and protecting the marine environment in the Gulf of Aqaba.
