Mr. Ali Abdullah Al-Kathiri, Acting President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Chairman of the National Assembly, met on Monday with Mr. Salem Hawash, Director-General of the General Authority for Environmental Conservation (GAEC) in the Socotra Archipelago, and Captain Ahmed Ali Othman, Director-General of the Arabian Sea General Fisheries Authority (ASGFA) in the governorate.

During the meeting, Mr. Al-Kathiri listened to a briefing on the activities of the GAEC and its performance level, the strategy it adopts to protect the environment and nature reserves in the Socotra Archipelago, and the development of sustainable development plans and projects to preserve nature, with the support and supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries (MAIF) and donor agencies.

Al-Kathiri was also briefed by Captain Ahmed Ali on the work matrix of the fisheries sector in the Socotra Archipelago, which is considered one of the largest vital sectors at the governorate and highlighted its exceptional marine biodiversity, ranking it among the key areas in the world, in addition to the number of fishermen, the prevalence of fishing unions and associations, seasonal fishing patterns, and potential avenues for developing the archipelago's fisheries.

The meeting touched on the crucial role of the MAIF, led by Major General Salem Al-Soqatri, and donor organizations in the ongoing efforts to robust the fisheries sector's infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the fisheries workforce and boost overall production, stressing the importance of attracting investors and businessmen to the promising fisheries sector in the archipelago.

Al-Kathiri emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding the environment and the fisheries sector from any potential threats, given the island's globally significant natural and marine treasures, praising the joint efforts of the GAEC and the Fisheries Authority in their dedication to protecting the unique ecosystem of the Socotra Archipelago.