الخصائص الاقتصادية الاجتماعية لواقع الصيد وصيادي الاسماك في خليج العقبة/الاردن

Socio-economic characteristics of the reality of fishing and fishermen in the Gulf of Aqaba / Jordan

An analytical study was conducted on the reality of fishing and the social and economic characteristics of fishermen working on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan during one year (2013-2014), in addition to relying on fishing records for the previous years starting in 2010. Multiple questionnaires were designed that included approximately 160 fishermen belonging to 129 families, To track and analyze the reality of fishing in Aqaba, as well as the social and economic characteristics of the fishermen. The results, after statistical analysis, indicated that fishing in Aqaba follows traditional methods, and that the annual catch (200-300 tons) hardly meets the basic needs of the economic requirements of this segment of society. This may be due to the weakness of the fish stocks in the Gulf of Aqaba, being narrow and semi-closed, and as a result of the increased environmental pressures resulting from the economic activity in the region. The results of the study also showed that the majority of fishermen (70%) depend on the fishing profession as a main source of income, and that the low returns of fishing negatively affected the economic dimension of the fishermen, where it was found that there is a decline in daily living conditions and life practices, including the demand for education for this group. The young age, given the need of the head of the family to help the children in this profession. However, it was found that a small percentage of fishermen (20%) enjoy reasonable incomes (15-20 dinars per day), as a result of other work that depends on the marine environment, such as the profession of the tourist boat market or work in the ports in conjunction with the fishing profession. Here, the need to work on increasing fish production, perhaps by expanding the fishing area beyond the Jordanian territorial waters, which requires special agreements with neighboring countries, raising the efficiency of fishing boats and the tools used, or activating marine farming to supplement fishing revenues and thus preserving this segment of society as a cultural and civilized disaster in the Aqaba region. . Also, highlighting the fishing profession and the fishermen's environment to be a source of income associated with marine eco-tourism due to the economic importance of the region in Jordan. As well as working to integrate the families of fishermen in Aqaba, within the priorities of the social and heritage development programs sponsored by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.