منع صيد أسماك القرش والدلافين عبر قوارب النزهة

The Saudi Red Sea Authority has presented the project of requirements and conditions for recreational boats, to be applied to operators of marine activities for rental purposes for recreation, recreational diving, and recreational fishing.

The Authority clarified that the rental of recreational boats is limited geographically to licensed marine activity operators, and the operator is allowed to operate boats that are under their direct ownership, provided that they are registered with the Authority in the list of authorized vessels.

The requirements emphasized that individual owners of recreational boats wishing to rent them must contract with a licensed marine activity operator through a rental and operation contract for the recreational boat, which specifies the nature of the contractual relationship, explicitly stating that the operator assumes all legal responsibilities according to these requirements and conditions. The marine tourism activity operator must conduct the rental of recreational boats through licensed tourist marinas.

The operator must obtain a permit from the Authority when wishing to participate in special parades or gatherings of boats, provided that the permit is for a specified duration and does not disrupt maritime navigation. The marine activity operator must adhere to border security regulations and the regulations and guidelines of the Ministry of Sports, as well as the controls of the Saudi Marine Sports and Diving Federation and the regulations of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.



The operator may organize overnight trips at sea, provided that the boat is equipped for this purpose, and that the overnight location is predetermined in the trip plan, obtaining the necessary approvals and providing accommodation and safety equipment.

The project emphasized that the boat must be equipped with suitable facilities to ensure passenger comfort, especially if the duration of the maritime trip exceeds (60 minutes). In this case, the operator is obligated to provide basic means for passenger comfort, including comfortable seating, clean restrooms, potable desalinated water, bathing water, personal towels, in addition to umbrellas for protection from sunlight or rain, and not to request a commission, reward, gift, or service from the beneficiary and establishments.



Among the requirements is the obligation for both the captain and the crew to wear a uniform while providing the service, reflecting a professional appearance and enhancing the quality of the tourist experience, and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers during boarding and disembarking from the marina. This includes providing necessary support means such as ladders or safe platforms, in addition to direct supervision by qualified crew members to provide assistance when needed. Minors under 18 years old are not allowed to rent or board the recreational boat without their guardian present, and the allowed limit for the number of passengers on board the recreational boat must not be exceeded.

The Authority may revoke the license in several cases, including the operator's inability to provide services of acceptable or sufficient quality, receiving repeated and documented complaints regarding the level of services provided, and repeated violations of regulations. In the event of a decision to revoke the license, the license is considered revoked immediately upon notifying the operator, and they are granted a period not exceeding 14 days to completely cease providing marine activities, while committing to settle all existing obligations.

The requirements for marine environmental protection stipulate taking all necessary measures to protect the environment and wildlife in the locations where maritime and marine activities are practiced within the geographical scope, preparing a waste management plan, and adhering to designated waste collection points without disposing of waste randomly.

-----

Commercial Fishing.. Prohibited

It is prohibited for the recreational boat to dispose of oils, toxic or harmful liquid substances, sewage, or waste in the waters, and to maintain the marine environment without discharging oil pollutants or any materials that may affect it. Entry into marine reserves is prohibited without obtaining prior permission from the responsible authority.

The Authority clarified that if fishing is to be done, it is solely for personal consumption and in accordance with the regulations set by the competent authority for regulating recreational fishing activities concerning species, seasons, quantities, and fishing methods. It is also prohibited to trade or sell them in all fish markets and shops of all kinds, including marine trips or tourism services. The Authority emphasized that it is forbidden to catch sharks, dolphins, or any other prohibited fish regardless of their type or size throughout the year, and to use nets, spearfishing guns, or any other prohibited fishing tools and equipment.

----

Special Services for Persons with Disabilities

The owner or operator is obligated to provide the requirements and needs of persons with disabilities in accordance with safety regulations, and to have someone to care for individuals with disabilities. Priority for boarding in emergencies must be given to persons with disabilities, taking into account appropriate security and safety measures for individuals with disabilities. The person with a disability should be enabled to access the boat with their personal wheelchair, with suitable mobility chairs provided for individuals with disabilities to move around, considering the varying degrees of disability.

It is prohibited for persons with disabilities to sign waivers or relinquish any services they may receive, or any waiver of liability related to damages or losses that may occur to mobility or assistance devices.