Mericulture at CER
On Al Sammaliah Island, CER have established a local fish and shrimp-breeding program. The program has three objectives:
- To re-stock wild populations of fish throughout the lagoons and coastal areas of Al Sammaliah Island.
- To demonstrate the breeding and husbandry techniques, and economics to local people to encourage mericulture throughout the UAE.
- For commercial purposes (stock for new fish farms & consumption).
There are three species of table fish currently under production on Al Sammaliah Island
Hamoor (Epinephelus sp.)
Biah (Mugil cephalus)
Safi (Siganus javus)
There are also shrimp (Peanus sp.) such as green tiger produced on the Island.
The production involves initially raising young fish and shrimp in growing tanks, and then placing them into larger cage nets in the open sea. The project is organised and undertaken by CER staff.