A TOTAL of 67 marine violations including trawling and fishing in protected zones have been recorded in the last two months, as part of a new service targeting fishermen.
The electronic scheme, Fisherman Services, aims to connect fishermen and seafarers with the Agriculture and Marine Resources Directorate and provide them with all the necessary information such as registering complaints, updates on maritime regulations, weather reports and issuing violations.
The directorate’s maritime control department acting director Khalid Al Shirawi said since the service was launched in November last year they have registered nearly 250 comments, complaints and violations, of which 67 were violations.
“The aim of launching this service is to increase communication with clients, fishermen, citizens and seafarers, in addition to responding to inquiries about marine licences,” said Mr Al Shirawi.
“As well as receiving reports on marine violations by fishermen, receiving inquiries about the maritime control department, spreading awareness and education on marine environment, and responding to inquiries about sea ports.”
He urged all fishermen, seafarers and citizens to subscribe to the service by sending a WhatsApp message to 38488040.
The GDN contacted the number and spoke to a representative who explained the aim was to turn the service into a 24-hour hotline in the future to provide all related information about seafaring, fishing, licences and violations.
He also revealed that the violations registered included trawling, fishing in protected areas and using nylon nets among others – adding the punishments for such violations vary between warnings, fines and having their fishing licences revoked.
In 2018, a trawling ban was introduced in Bahrain after it emerged the country’s fish stocks had dropped by 90 per cent since 2004.
The ban also included a prohibition on the export of 14 species of sea life, including fresh or frozen fish and shrimp, a reduction in the number of fishermen allowed on each dhow or small fishing boat and a training scheme for Bahraini fishermen.
Earlier this month the GDN reported that MPs voted to hold an open debate about the government’s policies on regulating fishing practices.
Parliament chairwoman Fouzia Zainal asked MPs to set a date to summon Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf to answer questions during the debate.
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