Dubai: Aquafarming is getting a boost in the UAE as part of a strategy to stem the problem of declining fish stocks in nearby fishing grounds.

The Ministry of Environment and Water will hold the first aquafarming exhibition and conference in the region next week to boost investments in the country's aquafarming industry.
Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, announced on Wednesday the launch of the first Aqua Middle East Exhibition and Forum on March 16 to 18. The forum, aims to bring to the UAE the latest technologies and technical know-how in the field of aquafarming or fish farming.

The forum aims to address the issue of decreasing fish stocks over the past 30 years due to various factors such as overfishing, over-exploitation of living aquatic resources, unauthorised fishing and unsustainable fishing practices, among others.