Qatar University (QU) and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) signed a cooperation agreement on licensing the use of the marine clutch technology. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of QU President Dr. Hassan Al-Derham and a number of QU officials. The agreement was signed by Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Undersecretary of Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs, and Prof. Mariam Al-Maadeed, QU Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies.
The agreement stated that the first party, QU, would grant the necessary licenses to the MME to manufacture, distribute, and use the Marine Clutch devices within the State of Qatar on a permanent basis. The Ministry has the right to manufacture and distribute this protected technology without limiting the number within the State of Qatar.
The agreement also states that QU will provide the necessary technical support on the use of this technology. This important device which helps to preserve the marine environment was invented by:
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maslamani, Advisor at the Office of Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU, Dr. Mohammed Demirel, Dr. David Smith (Technical Assistant), Dr. Mark Edward Schating (Technical Assistant) and Dr. Bruno Walter Geralds (Technical Assistant). The invention, a fishing cage retrieval device, is designed to reduce or eliminate environmental damage to the seafloor. The device includes two spaced apart sled-type structures for guiding the device along the seafloor, while minimizing damage to the seafloor.
Speaking on this occasion, Sheikh Dr. Faleh Bin Nasser Al Thani expressed his sincere thanks to QU administration, officials and researchers for this distinguished effort and invention that preserves the marine environment and supports the efforts of traditional fishermen in Qatar and preserves fish resources.
He said, “The purpose of this agreement is that Qatar University grants the Ministry of Municipality and Environment the right to manufacture this device; and this is an important step to promote and circulate this device and increase its use after a series of important tests that took the feedback and views of fishermen on its suitability for them.” He also noted that the cooperation will continue between the Ministry and the University on all issues that serve the ministry's interests and related business.
Prof. Mariam Al-Maadeed, commended the constructive cooperation between QU and the MME in the field of agriculture and fisheries. She valued Sheikh Dr. Faleh’s distinguished efforts in this respect. She also noted that QU, as a house of expertise, will always contribute to the progress and prosperity of the Qatari community. Prof. Al-Maadeed thanked Dr. Ibrahim Al- Maslamani, the inventor of the device and his team for this significant invention, which won international awards.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maslamani, the inventor of the device, thanked the University and the Ministry for their continued support for scientific research and for granting him and his team all facilities to invent this important device. He also praised the efforts exerted by the Ministry to preserve the marine environment and fisheries and its efforts to enact legislations necessary to maintain this vital field.
