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Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) will open its Sealine Medical Clinic for the 2025/2026 winter camping season Wednesday, marking its 16th consecutive year of operation. The clinic will remain open throughout the season until April 15, 2026.The clinic will operate throughout the season, opening each Thursday and Friday from 2pm to 2am, and from 10am to 10pm on Saturdays. This weekly schedule will continue throughout the camping season.The launch of the Sealine Medical Clinic 16 years ago marked HMC's commitment to providing care during the annual camping season. Since then, HMC has continued to open its clinic in the Sealine area throughout the six-month camping season, reflecting the corporation's dedication to delivering safe, compassionate, and effective healthcare year-round to everyone in Qatar, regardless of their location.The clinic is conveniently located in its usual spot on the Sealine beachfront, allowing easy access for both patients and visitors. The clinic offers medical and emergency services to all beachgoers and campers in the Sealine and Khor Al Adaid areas during the camping season.The management of Sealine clinic expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) for its continued co-operation with HMC on the Sealine clinic project, as well as to those involved in maintaining the Sealine area as a leading tourist and leisure destination by providing amenities such as shops, restaurants, and cafes. The management of Sealine clinic project urged visitors to the area to follow safety guidelines and take precautions, especially when swimming, barbecuing, or preparing food, to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience.A physician and a nurse are present at the clinic during operating hours under the supervision of the Medical Supervisor. The clinic receives all emergency cases, whether minor or critical from beach visitors or campers during its working hours.Severe or critical cases are immediately transferred to the hospital by ambulance or air ambulance, depending on the triage assessment. The clinic is fully equipped with the necessary supplies and medications to handle the types of cases it receives, and a helipad for air ambulance support is available nearby The clinic is prepared to handle a variety of cases, from mild to moderate, including colds, gastrointestinal issues, and minor burns and injuries, all of which can be treated on-site. For severe or critical cases, patients are transferred immediately to the hospital via ambulance or air ambulance, depending on the case.Ambulance coverage in Sealine area is available 24/7. Two regular ambulances are permanently stationed in the area, along with two four-wheel-drive ambulances to transport patients from sand dunes to the Sealine clinic during its operating hours, the standard ambulance site, or the air ambulance landing area, as needed.The Ambulance Service increases the number of ambulances in the Sealine camping area during weekends, beginning Thursday afternoons and continuing through Saturdays as well as during school holidays and special events, deploying a total of six regular ambulances and five four-wheel-drive ambulances to ensure timely responses across sandy terrain.The availability of air ambulance services and the deployment of specialised medical teams, including paramedics, critical care paramedics, rapid response paramedics, supervisors, liaison officers and operations managers. These teams are deployed according to emergency leadership and control systems established by the Emergency Planning and Event Management Section of the Ambulance Service, ensuring comprehensive medical coverage throughout the camping season.

The Ministry of Culture organized on Sunday a special international edition of its renowned "Seminar Season" in the French capital, Paris, in partnership with the Arab World Institute. Held for the first time outside the State of Qatar, the event was attended by His Excellency Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, His Excellency Ambassador of the State of Qatar to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, His Excellency Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, and the President of the Arab World Institute Jack Lang, alongside a number of ambassadors, academics, and researchers. In his address, HE Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali stressed that this exceptional edition of the Seminar Season reflects the Ministry's commitment to fostering continuous cultural dialogue among intellectual elites, and reaffirms the vital role of culture in promoting understanding between nations.He noted that hosting the Seminar Season at the Arab World Institute opens new horizons for creative exchange between East and West, while strengthening mutual recognition and appreciation of cultural identities. He expressed hope that the Paris edition would mark a new step in advancing cultural cooperation. HE Dr. Al Ali added that the partnership with the Institute embodies this goal, aiming to build bridges of communication with thinkers and intellectuals through cultural diplomacy that mirrors Qatar's standing at both regional and international levels. For his part, HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, affirmed that the Minister of Culture's visit to Paris contributes to deepening cultural dialogue between Qatar and France. He described the Arab World Institute as an ideal platform for building bridges of cultural communication between the two countries, highlighting that hosting the international edition of the Seminar Season reflects the importance of the partnership with this leading global cultural institution.Meanwhile, Jack Lang, President of the Arab World Institute, underscored the importance of culture in fostering dialogue among civilizations, praising Qatar's role in promoting peace and supporting international mediation. He described the Seminar Season as an exceptional initiative and a creative platform for dialogue and communication between people. The event's first session, titled "The Future of Arab-European Cultural Dialogue," explored several key themes. Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham, former President of Qatar University, discussed major challenges facing dialogue between Arab and Western cultures and called for renewing the tools of dialogue to achieve deeper and more balanced engagement. Dr. Benedicte Letellier, Associate Professor at the University of La Réunion in France, highlighted the role of the Arabic language and translation in promoting Arab cultural values and strengthening intercultural understanding. She urged greater involvement of French youth in Arab cultural programs, enhanced teaching of Arabic, and the removal of linguistic and cultural barriers. His Excellency Ali Al Zainal, Qatari diplomat and academic and former Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO, outlined seven key pillars of sustainable Arab-European dialogue, including mutual respect, equality, openness, tolerance, institutional and media support, and a focus on shared human values. He also highlighted the pivotal role of Qatari women and their contribution to cultural life, while criticizing Western media stereotypes of Arabs, particularly during coverage of Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Professor Jean-Baptiste Brinet, a medievalist and professor of Arabic philosophy at the University of Paris, addressed the historical roots of Western misperceptions of Arab culture, stressing that Arab civilization has long been an integral part of Europe's cultural identity. After a lively discussion, participants emphasized the need to adopt practical approaches to advancing cultural dialogue, making use of modern communication tools and empowering youth to participate in shaping intercultural exchange. The second session, titled "Arab Culture in European Capitals" and moderated by journalist Wassim Al Ahmar, featured Dr. Al Anoud Abdullah Al Khalifa, researcher at the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. She noted that the Gulf's cultural presence in France serves as a mechanism for reimagining narratives and dismantling outdated dichotomies, adding that Qatar's cultural engagement in France plays an influential cognitive role in reshaping French cultural awareness through dialogue and institutional collaboration. French playwright Mohammed Qasimi emphasized that despite its historical complexities, civilizational dialogue remains a foundation for cultural exchange and shared creativity, describing the Arab-European literary and artistic legacy as a "rich and inexhaustible cultural mosaic."Researcher Naima Yahya called for greater respect for cultural and linguistic diversity to build an inclusive cultural model capable of integrating diverse identities into a shared global framework.The Seminar Season drew wide participation from French and Arab cultural and media figures, who praised the quality of discussions and the significance of the topics addressed. They stressed the importance of continuing and expanding the initiative to further promote dialogue and cultural exchange between nations.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change announced the launch of the online registration for the 2025/2026 winter camping season Wednesday.The registration will be conducted in three phases according to the published schedule: starting with the Central Area from Oct 1-4, followed by the Southern Area from Oct 5-8, and then the Northern Area from Oct 9-14.Hamad Salem al-Nuaimi, director of the Wildlife Protection Department and chairman of the Winter Camping Season Organising Committee, stressed that the ministry’s teams have been working since the launch of online registration to facilitate the process through the electronic system on the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change website. He noted that a team from the Wildlife Protection Department is available to assist the elderly, retirees, and people with disabilities in registering if they are unable to do so electronically. He indicated that reservations are made electronically via the registration system. Upon registration, the camp owner immediately receives a text message confirming the booking of their site, which remains reserved for them throughout the six-month season, whether they start camping immediately or at a later time. He pointed out that the physical setup of camps is permitted starting from October 15, emphasising that no camping activities are allowed before this date. He also mentioned that the ministry has allocated a full day for the Sealine area due to the high demand it witnesses annually, where the number of camps last year exceeded 1,200.He noted that the capacity for the current season reaches 3,000 camps, with the possibility of increasing numbers in some areas based on demand and field pressure, to accommodate the growing demand for camping across various regions of the country. He highlighted that swapping sites after confirmation is prohibited except through the system, with a fee of QR1,000 imposed if a change is desired before confirmation. Besides, payment of the mandatory insurance of QR10,000 is a prerequisite for confirming the reservation, with a grace period of six hours granted to complete the payment via the system.Aysha al-Mehasaa, head of the Infrastructure and Project Management Section in the Information Systems Department, explained that this year the ministry has designed a completely new digital infrastructure dedicated to camping, aiming to enhance system efficiency and facilitate the registration process. The ministry has also strengthened electronic linkage with government entities such as the Retirement Authority and the Ministry of Social Development to provide accurate data for retirees and people with disabilities, allowing them to be exempted from fees automatically upon entering their personal ID number.

The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has outlined its key preparations for the upcoming Haj season of 1447 AH, following a series of meetings and initiatives held throughout the month of Rabi’ Al Awwal.These proactive efforts aim to enhance the pilgrimage experience and elevate the quality of services provided to the Guests of Allah.The ministry confirmed co-ordination with representatives from over 60 countries through their respective Haj offices in preparation for the next season.It also held more than 50 meetings with relevant authorities and Haj offices to launch the Saudi Buses initiative, designed to improve transportation efficiency for pilgrims.Additionally, the Nusuk Massar platform has approved more than 16 companies to serve international pilgrims. The platform has automated service directories for over 75 countries and activated more than 189 hospitality centres for pilgrims.Over 24 companies have also been qualified to provide services to international pilgrims, with readiness assessments completed. The ministry noted the launch of social responsibility initiatives and a new database to register volunteers for the Haj 1447 season.The Ministry of Haj and Umrah emphasised that these efforts are part of its comprehensive, year-round strategy to prepare for Haj, contributing to the continuous improvement of services and aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enrich the pilgrims’ spiritual journey and facilitate their experience.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has officially unveiled the Winter Camping Season 2025-2026, scheduled to run from Oct. 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026. Registration for the highly anticipated event will begin on October 1 and runs through October 14, available via the ministry's official website and the "Be'ah" mobile application.It will reopen from October 15 to November 15 for areas where spots will remain available. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by key ministry officials and stakeholders, who gave an overview of the latest updates on regulations and environmental guidelines for this year's season.The conference also highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and sustainable camping experience for all participants. MoECC's Public Relations Director, Dr. Farhoud Hadi Al Hajri emphasized the importance of the camp as a platform for fostering community engagement with Qatar's environment and promoting environmental awareness.He noted that the previous season saw a total of 2,860 camps, including 1,315 land camps, 433 sea camps, and 1,112 located within protected nature reserves. Meanwhile, the Director of the Wildlife Protection Department, Hamad Salem Al Nuaimi, said the three-phase registration process is based on geographic location as follows:October 1–4: Central region (including Umm Al-Atham, Rawdat Rashid, Rawdat Aisha, South Khuraij, Abu Samra, and Zekreet Coastal Reserve) October 5–8: Southern region (including Seline Reserve on October 5, and areas like Al-Nuqyan, Al-Kharara, Makinis, Seline, and Khor Al-Addid from October 6–8) October 9–14: Northern region, covering all available sites.Al Nuaimi further outlined key regulations for campers, including requirements for applicants to be Qatari nationals aged 25 or older. Applicants must also pay registration fees and insurance through the ministry's electronic system, maintain cleanliness, and avoid causing harm to the environment.He added that any violations will result in fines and potential revocation of permits. Insurance for unconfirmed camps will not be refunded after 30 days, and any reservation not confirmed within this period will automatically be canceled.The camping permit is personal and cannot be transferred or subleased. Assistant Head of the Environmental Security Department at the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Lt. Colonel Engineer Mohammed Ibrahim Al Nuaimi underscored the importance of campers adhering to environmental regulations to ensure a safe and eco-friendly season.In alignment with Qatar's commitment to environmental sustainability, MoECC's Director of Planning and Quality Department, Aisha Al Baker, announced the launch of the Sustainable Environmental Camping Award 2025-2026. The award recognizes five camps that demonstrate exemplary environmental practices, such as resource conservation, biodiversity protection, and the promotion of recycling.

Salman Mohammed al-Emadi, riding Higoletta van de Kapel, delivered two flawless rounds with times of 32.69 and 32.28 seconds to claim the top prize in the Gold Tour (140cm) as the opening round of the Longines Hathab Season 9 concluded at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena Saturday. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi came second on Isis, also completing clear rounds in 32.95 and 32.73 seconds. Rounding off the podium, Mohammed Saeed Haidan partnered with Quick Bill for another perfect record in 33.87 and 33.28 seconds in the feature event of the day, limited for 10 riders. In the team competition of the same class, Wathnan team claimed first place with a combined time of 66.56 seconds, followed by Lekhwiya (70.34 seconds) and Al Fardan (74.51 seconds). Earlier, Haidan, riding D Saucedo, clinched the Silver Tour (130cm) title. Haidan clocked 22.90 seconds to prevail over Saudi rider Bader Alfard, who finished second aboard Kimberly in 26.00 seconds. Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi secured third place with a time of 25.51 seconds on Qapella Di Lino. In the Future Riders 90cm round, rider Al Reem Hamza al-Kuwari took first place with a time of 54.05 seconds aboard Jani. Khalifa bin Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani finished second and third with times of 56.48 and 57.11 seconds aboard Zion Wardfree. In dressage events, Abdulla Khalid al-Julandani (D3), Hamyan al-Kowari (D2), and Sara Almahasneh (D1) topped their respective categories.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is preparing for the upcoming rainy season, taking up measures to ensure timely response and mitigate the impact of rainfall. “Ashghal has held several successful training to evaluate the fast response team's abilities in mitigating the impacts of heavy rainfall on urban infrastructure, public safety and traffic flow,” Ashghal said in an X post. Ashghal said that prompt mobilisation, effective co-ordination and field knowledge are crucial for minimising risks and averting disruptions during rain incidents. Ashghal, according to the post, has carried out critical operations successfully to prepare for the rainy season, including setting up rubber ramps, deploying hoses to drain water and operating diesel pumps. The authority explained that the fast response team remains on high alert, ready to act at a moment's notice. Their responsibilities include monitoring flood-prone areas and offering immediate assistance to affected communities. They offer vital support to the impacted main roads and has a contemporary fleet that is fully stocked with all the equipment required. Ahead of the rainy season, Ashghal developed a mechanism to overcome rainwater-related issues and intensified training for its staff members to help them improve the complaint redress time and ensure fast response in dealing with water accumulation. Ashghal uses the latest technologies to monitor the drainage networks and roads to ensure they are free from waterlogging. As part of its role to raise awareness and continuously communicate with the public, Ashghal launches awareness campaigns on precautionary measures that are to be taken before and during rain.

Parts of Delhi and Kashmir were flooded Thursday after two rivers breached the danger mark following heavy rain in several northern areas, but weather officials forecast some respite from downpours.A fierce monsoon season has brought immense destruction in the region this year, killing at least 130 people in August.Torrential rain in the hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh has swollen many rivers, which have crossed danger levels.Residential areas were flooded in the key city of Srinagar after a breach of the Jhelum river embankment, and authorities urged people to evacuate homes."The Jhelum is climbing, but at a much slower rate than was feared," Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in a post on X. "The administration is not going to lower its guard. We continue to monitor the situation very closely."Rescuers searched for any people trapped under debris after the rain triggered a landslide at the Ratle hydroelectric power project on the Chenab river in Drabshalla, officials said.Weather officials have forecast showers to ease off with moderate rain expected in Jammu and Kashmir and the state of Uttarkhand.In Delhi, the capital, the Yamuna river passed the danger mark on Tuesday, in a flow the Central Water Commission described as a 'severe' situation.Muddy water Thursday poured into many homes in low-lying areas, from which thousands had already been evacuated to safer places as a precaution.Authorities shut the historic Loha Pul, or Iron Bridge, spanning the Yamuna in the older part of the city.Crops across tens of thousands of hectares have been destroyed by the rains in the breadbasket state of Punjab where 37 have died since August began.The deluge spurred authorities to release water pent up in dams, further flooding areas in both India and neighbouring Pakistan.

The draws for the first Platinum event of the 2025/26 PSA Squash Tour season have been released, with World No.1s Mostafa Asal and Nouran Gohar named as the top seeds for the QTerminals Qatar Classic 2025.Returning to the PSA calendar for its 22nd edition, the QTerminals Qatar Classic will see 64 of the world's leading squash players descend upon the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha from September 28th to October 4th. Every second of action will be available to watch live on SQUASHTV.Current World Champion Asal leads the men's field and will arrive targeting a first Qatar Classic title of his career. Last year, 'The Raging Bull' enjoyed a standout season, which yielded seven title successes and just six defeats from his 60 matches on the PSA Squash Tour.At the other end of the draw, World No.2 Diego Elias has been named as the No.2 seed and will return to defend the trophy he captured in stunning fashion 12 months ago. Last year, the 28-year-old defeated then-World No.1 Ali Farag and Asal in straight games each to lift the title, whilst also having won the event back in 2021. Elias will also be hoping to replicate his recent form against Asal if they were to meet in the final, having defeated the World No.1 in six of their last seven meetings on tour.Elias can be found in the same half of the draw as No.4 seed Joel Makin, who ended his 2024/25 campaign in superb form, capturing the first major title of his career at the PSA Squash Tour Finals. The 30-year-old Welshman will have to be on his guard right from the get-go, however, having drawn two-time World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria in round one, before a potential second-round tie with fellow up-and-coming talent Jonah Bryant.World No.4 Paul Coll has been handed an equally tough draw, with the hugely talented World No.10 Youssef Ibrahim awaiting the Kiwi in what could prove to be a blockbuster first-round tie.Two Englishmen and two Egyptians occupy the 5/8 seeding positions in the men's draw, with the ElShorbagy brothers, Mohamed and Marwan, joined by Karim Abdel Gawad and Youssef Soliman. England's Mohamed has enjoyed vast success at the Qatar Classic, picking up the title in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2022 and will open his account against Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares.Meanwhile, in the women's draw, World No.1 Nouran Gohar and World No.2 Nour El Sherbini have been named as the top two seeds in their respective halves of the draw, with Gohar arriving looking to overturn her five-game defeat to her arch-rival in last year's final. 'The Terminator' has won almost all there is to win in the sport, but the Qatar Classic crown is a piece of silverware that has eluded her since its return to the PSA calendar in 2023. Her account begins with a tricky opening round match against British No.1 Georgina Kennedy.Gohar can be found in the same half of the draw as World No.4 Olivia Weaver, who will be looking to continue where she left off at the backend of the 2024/25 season. The USA No.1 reached her maiden major final on tour at the PSA Squash Tour Finals, but is still eying a first career win against any of the established 'Big Three' in the women's game.Elsewhere, El Sherbini faces a potential blockbuster semi-final with World No.3 Hania El Hammamy, if the pair were to come through their respective draws. The last two editions of the Qatar Classic have seen the Egyptian pair deliver two five-game thrillers, with the winner of their encounter going on to pick up the title on both occasions.Further back in the top-eight seedings, three-time World Junior Champion Amina Orfi, Japan's Satomi Watanabe, Belgium's No.1 Tinne Gilis and Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam will all be hoping to launch bids into the latter stages of the event.Local favourite Abdulla al-Tamimi will lead Qatari hopes as he makes his tenth appearance at the Platinum-level event. The World No.22 takes on compatriot and tournament wildcard Ali al-Darwish in round one, while the second wildcard in the men's event, Salem al-Malki, faces Fares Dessouky.The DrawWomen's:[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Georgina Kennedy (ENG)Nada Abbas (EGY) v Jasmine Hutton (ENG)Georgia Adderley (SCO) v Nele Gilis (BEL)[WC] Nadine Shahin (EGY) v [8] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) v Aira Azman (MAS)Zeina Mickawy (EGY) v Rachel Arnold (MAS)Hana Ramadan (EGY) v Marina Stefanoni (USA)Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v [3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY)[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) v Farida Mohamed (EGY)Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)Tesni Murphy (WAL) v Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)Ka Yi Lee (HKG) v [7] Tinne Gilis (BEL)[5] Amina Orfi (EGY) v Melissa Alves (FRA)Aifa Azman (MAS) v Tomato Ho (HKG)[WC] Nour Heikal (EGY) v Hana Moataz (EGY)Sana Ibrahim (EGY) v [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)Men's:[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) v Ramit Tandon (IND)Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v Gregoire Marche (FRA)Declan James (ENG) v Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)Greg Lobban (SCO) v [8] Youssef Soliman (EGY)[6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v Abhay Singh (IND)Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [WC] Salem al-Malki (QAT)Curtis Malik (ENG) v Juan Vargas (COL)Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) v [3] Paul Coll (NZL)[4] Joel Makin (WAL) v Mohamad Zakaria (EGY)Jonah Bryant (ENG) v Nicolas Mueller (SUI)Abdulla al-Tamimi (QAT) v Ali al-Darwish (QAT)Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) v [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG)[7] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) v Iker Pajares (ESP)Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Raphael Kandra (GER)Mazen Hesham (EGY) v Dimitri Steinmann (SUI)Eain Yow Ng (MAS) v [2] Diego Elias (PER)

In the aquatic realm of the Gulf, amid its waves and currents, and ranging from near the surface to the depths, the kingfish reigns supreme in excellence and beauty.It is far more than a mere fish, it is a living legend, embodying power, speed, and majesty in its most sublime form, with a torpedo-like sleek body and a lustrous silver sheen that mirrors the pride of the sea.This fish narrates an eternal tale of survival, endowed with astonishing abilities. Its extraordinary speed renders it an unparalleled hunter, striking like an arrow to seize its prey with pinpoint precision, while its exceptional manoeuvring skills allow it to evade any danger in a flash, leaving adversaries bewildered and stunned.The kingfish ranges in length from 50 to 150 centimetres and can weigh up to 35 kilograms in exceptional cases, with females generally larger, particularly in advanced stages of life.Strikingly, it is a symbol of hospitality and the essence of maritime heritage, occupying a premium standing in luxurious feasts during occasions. However, to ensure the preservation of this maritime wealth, colossal efforts are being undertaken to regulate fishing practices and place restrictions on the sizes of fish that are allowed to be caught, as long as the increasing demand for kingfish punches well above its stockpile weight, triggering stringent surveillance to ensure sustainability.Accordingly, the Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Fisheries Department, has recently announced the launch of the kingfish fishing ban season from Aug 15 to Oct 15, 2025. Based on the decision, the use of gill nets for fishing is prohibited, and the trade and transport of such nets are also banned, while only line fishing is permitted.Qatar News Agency reached out to Director of the Fisheries Department Abdulaziz al-Dehaimi, who outlined the key objective of this annual ban, stressing that it primarily intends to protect fish stocks and ensure sustainability in the Qatari marine habitat, as this kind of fish is one of the critical economic species.Dehaimi further added that the ban offers an opportunity for fish recovery and for augmenting the stock to remain abundant for the next generations, affirming that the ban duration is two months based on scientific studies and monitoring data, which confirmed that halting the use of gill nets during this period enhances the reproduction of the kingfish, offering the new generations enough time to grow and ultimately elevate the total stock.The department's surveillance operators and the competent judicial authorities vested with this mission are monitoring the situation daily to ensure people are abiding by this decision and other regulatory rules through inspections of fishing boats and ports, Dehaimi highlighted.Dehaimi stressed that financial and administrative penalties are imposed on violators in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 4 of 1983 on the exploitation and protection of marine resources.He indicated that the department has been committed to launching awareness programmes for fishermen and the public through media campaigns and workshops to highlight the significance of the ban and the measures regulating fisheries, in addition to engaging local media outlets in disseminating the awareness messages.He stressed that the department gives foremost priority to this kind of fish and other species in collaboration with the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states, to bolster co-ordinated efforts by sharing data and expertise through the GCC's Standing Fisheries Committee, under the umbrella of the FAO-affiliated Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI), to ensure that unified fishing ban seasons are proposed to strengthen the sustainability of shared fish stockpiles throughout the Gulf region.Periodic studies are conducted annually by the department to assess kingfish stockpiles alongside 36 other marine species. These assessments measure biomass and estimate the appropriate fishing effort to secure maximum sustainable yield, Dehaimi highlighted.He said the results have consistently shown a marked improvement in the abundance of these stockpiles in recent years, underscoring the effectiveness of the ban in meeting its objectives.Kingfish, members of the mackerel family and close relatives of tuna, rank among the fastest pelagic fish, he added, affirming that they can sustain high speeds over extended periods without significant energy depletion, at times reaching up to 60km per hour.The Arabian Gulf stands as one of the world's foremost habitats for kingfish. Its warm, relatively shallow waters create ideal conditions for growth and reproduction. They are also native to the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, while the Gulf of Oman functions as a vital corridor for their migration between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf, where vast numbers converge during seasonal movements, Dehaimi outlined.Kingfish are among the richest natural reservoirs of essential nutrients, boasting a balanced composition of high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and vital vitamins and minerals indispensable to human health, making them an ideal choice for those pursuing a wholesome and well-balanced diet. (QNA)