Fishing at World’s largest artificial lake suspended to increase number of organic fish

CAIRO - 16 March 2021: Fishing at the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser, has been suspended for 45 days to increase the numbers of organic fish in the water body.

 

The Supreme Committee for the Development of Fisheries, the governor of Aswan, and the heads of local fishermen groups attended the meeting that produced the decision.

 

Ashraf Ateya, the governor of Aswan, where the lake is located behind the High Dam, said those responsible for any fishing activities during the ban will be referred to the prosecution. He added that after the ban, there will be zero tolerance with overfishing and any illegal form of fishing.

 

Water surfaces will be inspected to ensure the rules are followed, Ateya added.

 

The measure is taken to achieve balance in the market and reduce prices of all fish. In 2020, fish production increased by 5% to 25,100 tons with the aim to increase to 30,000 tons from 2022 to 2027, the committee said.

 

Most recently, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi inaugurated Fayrouz Fish Farm in Port Said, the largest of its kind in the Middle East.