Danger of being over fished
My whole life, a highlight of summer and autumn, has been the crab feast ("UAE crab hunting craze", Gulf News, June 21).
In Maryland, USA, where I am from, hanging a piece of chicken neck down in the water helps catch crabs.
A more popular and common manner is putting traps out in the water, and then collecting them later, hopefully full of delicious blue crabs that we then steam in seasoning, and happily feast upon.
Typically, the spiced, steamed crabs are dumped on a table covered with paper and then broken with a mallet and a knife. It is time consuming but worth it.
At first glance, this would certainly be a more humane way of catching these coveted crustaceans, but they are so popular, that they are now in a danger of being over fished.
With all this being said, I never once saw anyone try to catch crabs with a spear.
From Ms Beth Bell
Maryland, USA
Not commendable
To spear a swimmer crab or a spawning female crab is not the best practice, as once the female is dead, its offspring can't survive either.
Protecting spawning female crabs is important for them to be able to reproduce. In places where marine harvest is managed, there are laws that prevent out-of-season harvesting.
Countries that are concerned use either scoop nets or drop nets, both of which can harvest a bountiful catch and help return the female crab.
One needs to visit the fish markets to see the crabs that are for sale. Some are so small that there is no meat to enjoy.
From Ms Tam Gabo
UAE
Big mistake
I love the sea. I go fishing, diving and engage in all sorts of water activities. Crab hunting is an amazing experience and the reward is great.
However, the whole safari idea is a big mistake. It's mating season and you go hunting, that could result in putting the area in danger of low crab reproduction.
That means no more crab hunting for future generations. I have been on these trips many times, and yes it's good for tourism, but if this continues, we might be looking at a marine crisis.
From Mr Rami Assad
Dubai
Criminal act
Instead of praising the behaviour the newspaper should be condemning crab hunting.
How long do you think stocks will last and what of the damage to the mangroves? To admit to hunting during the breeding season is nothing short of criminal.
From Mr Raymond
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Best time
When I lived in Kuwait we would go crab catching, not hunting, armed with a lantern and a pair of gloves. We would catch them alive and keep them in sacks.
We always went in at low tides - the best time to catch crabs that are fleshier and tastier.
From Mr Fred Chambers
Brampton, Canada
In the long run
The traffic problem on Sharjah-Dubai roads is not surprising ("Welcome to Sharjah-Dubai traffic battleground", Gulf News, June 23). Nowadays, it does not make a difference the time at which one leaves for work.
If Salik has reduced traffic congestion on one road then it has made it worse on the other roads.
One needs to think in the long term. Introducing toll gates is not the solution.
From Mr Rajesh
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
A long day
I belong to the unfortunate clan of commuters from Sharjah to Dubai. My office timings are from 8am to 4pm but I leave home at 5.30am and reach only by 5.30 in the evening. That's 12 hours of my day.
Being on the road is a nightmare and each time I pray to reach my destination safely and on time. The roads in Dubai have enough lanes but the bottleneck is when one enters Sharjah.
Unless the authorities build more bridges and widen the existing roads, I don't think the situation will ever become better.
From Ms Thanzeela
Sharjah
Laudable initiative
As the commercial hub of the country, Dubai has taken a bold decision by imposing a ban on smoking in public places ("Dubai bans cigarette sales to under-20s as world marks No Tobacco Day", Gulf News, June 1).
Smoking is classified as one of the causes of cancer, a disease that is often diagnosed at a very late stage but is very common among people today. A large number of people around the world are suffering from the disease and it has become predominant in the younger generation as well. In many countries, smoking is officially banned from public places such as transport vehicles, cinemas and public properties. The authorities in Dubai need to ensure that the smoking ban is implemented and monitored effectively. Social awareness could prevent spreading this habit to some extent.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Ruwi, Oman
Gulf News Readers Club member
Better than cure
I urge the authorities to not just ban the sale of cigarettes to minors but to adults as well. It is always better to adhere to the adage ‘prevention is better than cure'. This way, everyone will be aware of the fact that smoking is dangerous to health.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
Drastic change
Since it is clear that smoking is harmful and does no good, why try and place control measures in selected segments of the country? Smoking is undoubtedly bad for health and very addictive. Additionally, smokers are often inconsiderate towards non-smokers and children around them, as they inadvertently portray the wrong image that smoking is ‘cool'. By banning the sale of cigarettes in Dubai, we will definitely see a drastic reduction in the number of people smoking, as the habit will not be convenient for casual smokers or beginners.
From Mr Prakash Parma
UAE
Forgotten smokers
A smoking ban is great, but I think we should also consider the wishes of those who smoke, as they require a place to do so from time to time ("Smoking ban in Sharjah malls is breath of fresh air for shoppers", Gulf News, June 4).
Parking lots seem to be an accepted place for smoking. Smokers usually stand there and smoke, while also inhaling carbon monoxide that is emitted from car exhausts. Non-smokers on the other hand, enjoy a cool stroll inside air-conditioned buildings.
From Ms Nirmal Devasurendra
Dubai
Provide for smokers
The smoking ban was a marvelous step by the authorities. However, I urge them to consider providing some outlets with a smokers licence so that people who want to smoke can do so in designated areas. Cigarette sales can also be permitted in certain shops, provided they are well ventilated and do not affect passersby.
From Mr S. J. Huq
Dubai
No concern
No one seems to adhere to the smoking ban laws as we still see people smoking freely everywhere. Unless the authorities enforce the law strictly, people will still walk around in shopping malls and stores with cigarettes dangling from their mouths.
Even worse are those who smoke in cinema halls without any concern for those around them. Throwing cigarettes carelessly onto the floor can also be a potential fire hazard.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Will it help?
The initiative taken up by the Ministry of Health to hike up tobacco prices deserves appreciation ("Increasing tobacco prices to discourage teen consumption", Guf News, May 29).
The move will definitely curb the number of teenage smokers to a great extent. But for chain-smokers, for whom smoking is an undeniable part of their existence, they are likely to never give up the habit, as it is an addiction. In such a situation, the price hike of tobacco would not really be a concern for them. Nevertheless, the authorities should ensure that the tobacco price does not change even if the number of smokers drops.
From Ms Kaveri Manoharan
Abu Dhabi
Complete ban
I congratulate Dubai for the success of the smoking ban in shopping malls. However, I was shocked when I recently watched a football match in a smoke-filled bar in Bur Dubai. I had to leave due to the excessive smoke and had a sore throat for three days. Surely it is time to impose a ban on smoking all over the country, including bars and clubs, if only for the sake of the bar staff's health.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Simple solution
The simplest way to quit smoking is to stop importing tobacco products, including cigarettes. The concerned authorities should seriously consider this, as it would help greatly in reducing the number of smokers in the region.
From Mr Leo Argueza
Dubai
Serious issue
Abu Dhabi has not yet implemented the smoking ban in all air-conditioned establishments even as other emirates have done so. The issue is serious as smoking is a health hazard, especially in shopping malls, where children and infants are likely to unknowingly become passive smokers. I hope Abu Dhabi's authorities will take the necessary action to curb this habit.
From Ms Sandra
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request
Not for children
I wonder why shisha outlets are allowed to operate in residential areas. Families are victimised as they cannot move away from the overpowering smell that lingers well into the night. Additionally, on a recent visit to a shisha outlet in a Karama residential colony, I came across a customer who was allowed to bring his two-year-old son in as well. To add to this, the two-year-old was allowed to puff on a shisha pipe between his bottle-feed. This is shameful and must be stopped. Establishments that allow minors to smoke or enter smoke-filled places must face severe penalties.
From Ms Ineke D'Souza
Dubai
