Fishing played an important role in this region especially to people living on the coast. As a coastal country UAE had a strong relationship with the sea as a source of food, trade and hobby. Not only fishing played important role in thriving UAE economically but also pearling had great impact in UAE’s market. Hence, UAE has a strong bond to the sea. For that it is essential to study the problem of the marine life.
After hearing and reading about marine life problems i gained a lot of knowledge about the marine life problems and explore more about it. In addition, it is very interesting to learn about the environment under the sea and how species live that was the main motive to me.
Focusing on Hamour
“Imagine a plate of chunky fat golden chips, crispy on the outside and fluffy as a cloud in the middle, seasoned with cracked black pepper, sea salt and a dash of vinegar. Now try to picture those very same chips without the white, firm and moist flesh of the Hamour by their side. It’s a bit like an unpleasant dream. Yet if the UAE’s favourite fish continues to be consumed with such voracity, it might be a nightmare that you’ll have to get used to. Our infatuation with the versatile and flavoursome Hamour (or orange-spotted grouper, as it is also known) has prompted warnings of overfishing.”
Hamour fish is considered the most demanded fish in the UAE market. Not only that but also the smaller Hamour is being targeted as it meet the restaurants demand. There are various articles that indicate the fact of Hamour overfishing problem.
Emotional statement
In the next five years, the number of Hamour population will decline due to the overfishing issue. Hamour fish is suffering from human actions that lead to decreasing the amount of Hamour reproduction. Moreover, people should understand that Human activities cause instability in the marine life. Many other issues that affected the Hamour growth due to human actions such as the sea pollution by dumping sewage and waste in the sea those factors that makes the problem worse. Our beliefs and religion encourages the fact of caring about the animals and the environment. Therefore, our mission is to save the Hamour fish from extinction in order to maintain a balance in our ecosystem.
Brainstorming
To strengthen and support the research of marine life and fishing behaviors we should compare past activities with the present to find the possible solutions. I believe past activities were more environmentally friendly, whereas in the present it is more artificial and carless about the environment. Problem that affects the sea varies from pollution, coral reef destruction, and overfishing.
“We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history and our heritage. On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations. With God’s will, we shall continue to work to protect our environment and our wildlife, as did our forefathers before us. It is a duty and, if we fail, our children, rightly, will reproach us for squandering an essential part of their inheritance, and of our heritage.”
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,The late President of the UAE
Tradition
Past overview:
In the past people cared about the environment and lived sustainable life through their daily activities. People were rational about their fishing activities and consider the fish cycle by giving the fish their time to reproduce and increase. They were satisfied with the small amount of fish they catch and do not overfish. Moreover, they build wooden boats that were used for fishing, pearling and trade. Those boats considered safe for the environment because of its natural components.
“The sea has always provided a valuable source of food for the people of the Emirates. Fish traps could be of the fixed, hadra type by which fish were guided along a stake-fence and finally into a small enclosure where they were harvested at low-tide; or else small moveable garghour traps woven from palm fronds, weighted down by stones, and baited to entice fish to enter through a narrow hole.”
Fusion
Present overview:
Today’s new developments and activities lead us to many problems that were discovered lately. One of the main problems is overfishing that causes the Hammour fish number to decline and eventually extinct if the problem was not controlled. Another factor that causes harm to Hammour fish is the sewage, wastes, plastic bags and garbage dumped in the sea. In addition, to the invention of the new kinds of boats engines are also affecting the marine life species and pollute its environment. Man mad islands also have a great impact to the coral reef and the decline number of fish population.
Hammour overfishing problem is increasing and it is clearly mentioned in this article that the “Stocks of Hammour are declining due to overfishing off the coast of Ajman, the Ministry of Environment and Water has warned. The ministry’s Water Creatures Research Centre conducted a study of around 15,000 fish in the waters of the UAE. The study was launched following concerns the fish were being caught illegally. Landing Hammour is banned unless the fish are greater than 45 centimetres in length.There can be a decline of up to 70 per cent of hammour population in the next five years if the current situation continues” .
Vision
Future overview:
Humankind actions are rising and affected all living things on earth. The terrible actions affected the balance of nature and destroyed its beauty. Distortion of species habitat is crime committed against nature stability. Nevertheless, it is not too late to solve the damages that people created. Instead, there is a chance for us to stop affecting the species and take action to solve the problem. One the problems that I am focusing on is the overfishing Hamour fish. The Goal is to stop the cruel actions toward Hammour fish. Hence, creating an awareness campaign to educate and enlighten people about the problem of overfishing Hamour. To attract people attention to this problem I am aiming to address the problem creatively from the fish perspective and to convince them by showing the serious problem through a dialogue between the fish and human.
Case study: Overfishing
Overfishing problem is found in different countries around the worlds. Scientist and environmentalist are studying this problem and aiming to find solutions. Many solutions has been studied and practiced. One of the solutions that possibly can aid this problem was the genetically modified farm.
GM ‘ solution’ to over-fishing
“ 70% of the world’s fisheries are threatened by over-fishing
Genetically modified farmed-fish will feed the world by the year 2025 as global catches decline, predicts a US scientist.
GM fish farms will be the only way to supply enough seafood amid the continuing collapse of commercial marine fisheries, believes Professor Yonathan Zohar, of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute.
He says biotechnology will lead to stronger, faster-growing, more nutritious fish that can reproduce all year round.
But critics argue that GM fish may offer a temporary solution to providing food but will not address the problem of over-exploitation of our seas and oceans.
Declining stocks
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization reports that 60% to 70% of fisheries in the world’s oceans are threatened by over-fishing.
The agency estimates that at some point between 2015 and 2025, half of all fish consumed in the world will be farmed.
New molecular and biotechnology tools will be required to bring fish farming on a par with farming of other livestock, says Professor Zohar.
Whereas people have improved the genetics, health, nutrition and reproduction of other livestock through centuries of husbandry and science, time may be far shorter for improving seafood crops, he told the International Marine Biotechnology Conference in Queensland, Australia.
‘Unproven science’
But environmental campaign group World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF, says GM fish are a distraction from the pressing issues that face our oceans today.
“GM fish may offer a solution to fish as a food resource, though the science is far from certain on this matter, but it will not address the unsustainable and catastrophic exploitation of our seas and oceans,” said a spokesperson.
WWF says it is working on solutions that, in 20 years’ time, will see wild fish stocks rising, bringing benefits to communities dependent on the marine environment.
“Now everyone can see the problems facing our seas it’s a question of getting the political will to enact legislation providing the protection they need to ensure the recovery and improvement of fisheries,” the spokesperson added.
GM salmon
The first genetically modified fish, salmon that grow up to 10 times faster than normal, could be cleared for human consumption within a year.
A US firm – AF Protein – is developing the GM fish on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
The Massachusetts-based company has inserted two sets of fish genes into Atlantic salmon.”
The first are growth hormone genes and the second, from a different fish, activate them.”
Overfishing
“A large yellow fin tuna being cut up. Yellow fin and big eye tuna may be commercially extinct in 3-5 years if fishing is not controlled, experts warn.
Enlarge Image
Many marine ecologists think that the biggest single threat to marine ecosystems today is overfishing. Our appetite for fish is exceeding the oceans’ ecological limits with devastating impacts on marine ecosystems. Scientists are warning that overfishing results in profound changes in our oceans, perhaps changing them forever. Not to mention our dinner plates, which in future may only feature fish and chips as a rare and expensive delicacy.
Instead of trying to find a long-term solution to these problems, the fishing industry’s eyes are turning towards the Pacific – but this is not the answer. Politicians continue to ignore the advice of scientists about how these fisheries should be managed and the need to fish these threatened species in a sustainable way.
Overfishing problems around
“In 2004, the US Commission on Ocean Policy reported that “25% to 30% of the world’s major fish stocks are overexploited and that US fisheries are experiencing similar difficulties. Of the nation’s 267 major fish stocks … roughly 20% are either already overfished, experiencing overfishing, or approaching an overfished condition.”
In 2005, a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found that global stocks of most fish are stretched to their limits. Nearly a quarter of commercial species have already been over-exploited, with a total 70% of species now being fished close to, at, or beyond their capacity.”
Designers
Mixed media Graphic designer Marek Okon
“ A recent graduate from the York Univeristy/ Sheridan College Joint Program In Design in Toronto, Marek Okon worked as a motion and print based designer for both Canadian and international studios.”
Marek Okon’s work is really interesting the way he blends different elements together.
Graphic designer David Carson
I was inspired by the interesting layout of design and usage of typography creatively.
Typography played major role in most of David Carson’s work infused with the images to send the message.
Visual Communications styles
Absolute campaign
Inspired by Absolute campaign in terms of the way in using the bottle element for different posters. Using an iconic way in representing different styles. Therefore, I am representing the posters in an iconic way by associating the Hamour fish as the main element in the design.
Survey
1.Gender
Female (96.77% 30 respondent)
Male (3.23% 1 respondents)
2. Age
18-29 (83.87% 26 respondent)
29-30 (0.00% 0 respondents)
30-39 (16.13% 5 respondents)
3. Do you eat Hammour fish?
Yes (67.74% 21 respondents)
No (32.26% 10 respondents)
4. Do you care about the Hammour fish exctiction?
Yes (90.32% 28 respondents)
No (9.68% 3 respondents)
5. Do you know that Hammour fish population is declining?
Yes (45.16% 14 respondents)
No (54.84% 17 respondents)
6. Are you aware of the Hammour overfishing?
Yes (51.61% 16 respondents)
No (48.39% 15 respondents)
7. Are you aware of the problem (waste and sewage) in the sea that affects the Hammour?
Yes (58.06% 18 respondents)
No (41.94% 13 respondents)
8. Foog “o” Tahat is an awareness campaign aims to protect the Hammour fish in the marine life. This will be achieved by raising awareness to the overfishing issue of the Hammour fish in the UAE through maintaining a suitable and clean marine life. In order to support the idea of showing the issue of the Hammour problem the idea will be addressed creatively through the fish perspective under the sea and how it is affected. Based on the research, in the next five years the number of Hammour population will decline due to overfishing issue and as we know Hammour is considered the best kind of fish in this region so it will be so sad to keep this precious fish to disappear. Our beliefs and religion encourages the fact of caring about the animals and the environment. Therefore, our mission is to save the Hammour fish from extinction in order to live a sustainable marine environment with healthy productive Hammour fish. Do you think the campaign’s concept and mission is important? why? Do you have any suggestion to improve it? Do you think the name ” Foog “o” Tahat” is a good name for this campaign? why?
9. Can you stop eating Hammour fish until its population increase?
Yes (96.77% 30 respondents)
No (3.23% 1 respondents)
10. Are you willing to save the Hammour?
Yes (93.55% 29 respondents)
No (6.45% 2 respondents)
11. Are you interested to participating in feeding the Hammour day?
Yes (70.97% 22 respondents)
No (29.03% 9 respondents)
12. Are you interested in cleaning the sea day?
Yes (70.97% 22 respondents)
No (29.03% 9 respondents)
Survey suggestions that are helpful to be added in my campaign
1.Targeting the restaurant to reach people
2. Make the campaign widely everywhere, in TVs, radios, Internet, and newspapers. Advertisements.
3. Focus on aware people of the facts such as limiting the size of fish that can be caught, spawning females must be returned to the sea; a limit on the fishing season during which they can be caught. Limiting the number of licenses that can actually fish for hamour, and fish farms could help by repopulating the ocean.
4. Including it in school curriculum and idea should also be presented to the lawmakers, so they can pass laws to protect the hamour.
