Dubai Customs has announced it is to provide sailors within all its operated fishing harbours in Jumeirah and Um Suqeim with free accommodation services.
The decision has entered into effect retroactively starting last January in effort to support the fishermen community towards a more sustainable future, while also preserving natural maritime resources and passing on to the coming generations the legacy of our ancestor fishermen, whose heritage is deeply rooted in our national identity, said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs.
The seamen will enjoy free accommodation following a decision that came based on feedback received from the concerned fishermen during a meeting held with them in January.
Additionally, the declaration also extends to cover many other services, including security, water, electricity, sanitation as well as regular maintenance.
Following the directives and generous support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Customs has accomplished a project of developing three traditional fishing harbours in Jumeirah and Um Suqeim, in addition to developing Al Hamriya Fishing Harbour whose fishermen will also have access to free accommodation services. The development project was brought to the front in order to keep up with Dubais fast paced urbanization, setting a bridge that connects the present to the past in centre-of-now Dubai.

As many as 1000 workers and seamen directly benefit from the fishermen harbours project in Jumeirah and Um Suqeim. The piers collectively have a mooring capacity of 466 ships , 348 designated to fishing boats and 119 for yachts and recreational crafts. The harbours also provide warehouses and a dry-dock at the disposal of the fishermen. Beyond that, it also cater to the public two fish markets in Jumeirah 1 and Um Suqeim 1, besides presenting a series of international coffee shops and restaurants, prayer sites and many other facilities. The ultimate goal is to help attract tourists to these spots where they can relish and enjoy the beauty of Dubai.

In November, 2014 Dubai Customs signed an MoU with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai in order to develop the tourism aspect of the project , consequently boosting Dubai shorelines being a tourist magnet.