Activating the first digital system to track marine fishing in Sharjah and Fujairah to enhance fisheries management in the country

The fisheries and fishing sector in the country witnessed a new expansion of the “SFS Fisheries” system, which is the first digital system of its kind in the country and the region, and specializes in tracking and documenting the landings and source of local fish.
The system was activated in the Emirate of Fujairah in addition to the Emirate of Sharjah, which represents a step towards expanding the scope of its application and lays the foundation for its adoption as an integrated digital model for fisheries management at the state level.
The system, which includes an application, an electronic record, and a verification platform, provides the possibility of digitizing fishing operations and documenting them systematically, thus enhancing transparency in marine supply chains, raising the efficiency of control, supporting the sustainability of resources, and enhancing the reliability of the local product in the markets.
The system also enables users and stakeholders to immediately verify supply operations via a quick response code (QR) assigned to each fishing vessel, which allows access to licensing data, type, source and quantity of catch, and provides the ability to track the journey of the marine product from the moment it leaves the sea until it reaches the consumer.
This expansion came based on an agreement between the Fujairah Fishermen’s Cooperative Society and the international company “Seafood Souq”, which developed the system.
The memorandum was signed by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the founding partner of the company, and the Chairman of the Fujairah Fishermen’s Association, Mahmoud Hassan Al Ali, in the presence of the Director of the Northern Region of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jamali, and the President of the Cooperative Union of Fishermen in the State, Sulaiman Rashid Al-Khadeem Al-Antali.
This expansion reflects the company’s approach, which, in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, announced plans to gradually extend the system to all seven emirates of the country, in preparation for developing a unified national framework that ensures sustainable management of marine wealth.
Under the agreement, the two parties are working to develop a digital mechanism that allows the immediate recording of fish landings at approved sites and linking each shipment to the boat, the time and location of the landing, and the type and quantity of the catch, which provides a unified digital record that enhances data accuracy and ease of reference.
The memorandum also includes the issuance of digital certificates that grant each marine product electronic documentation proving its source and the integrity of its data, which enables traders and consumers to clearly verify the quality of the product. It also allows real-time data analysis to follow the size and types of catches and market movement, which supports making more accurate decisions in organizing fishing operations, protecting fish stocks, and developing relevant policies.
Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi stressed that partnerships in vital sectors, especially the food and seafood sector, constitute an essential foundation for building more efficient and sustainable production systems, as they contribute to integrating scientific knowledge with operational experience and link the various parties of the value chain within an integrated framework.
He added that traceability and transparency standards have today become among the basic requirements in global food trade, as simply putting the product on the market is no longer sufficient. Rather, the ability to document its source and path has become an essential element in building trust and enhancing competitiveness. Hence, adopting digital solutions contributes to raising quality standards and opening broader horizons for local products.
Cooperation includes exchanging data and technical advice and implementing joint research and training programs that contribute to raising the efficiency of cadres and building a sustainable knowledge base that combines field experience and modern technologies.
This cooperation comes in light of the continued growth witnessed by the seafood sector in the UAE, where the market size is expected to reach about $1.49 billion by 2033, supported by the increased demand for protein-rich foods and the rise in health awareness, in addition to the expansion of the hospitality and retail sectors.