BAHRAIN could introduce tougher punishments to crack down on people damaging the environment or fishing resources.
MPs are set to vote on amendments to the 2002 Law Regulating Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Wealth.
Major violations could lead to a person facing fines ranging from BD1,000 to BD5,000 or jail terms of between three months and a year, or both.
Currently, such violators are fined between BD1,000 and BD5,000 or jailed for a month to six months or receive both sentences.
A few other violations, classified as ‘medium’, could lead to fines ranging from BD500 to BD3,000 or jail time of up to six months. Currently, violators of this kind face a fine of between BD300 and BD1,000, jail of up to a month, or both.
Under the new amendments, minor violations would lead to a fine of between BD500 and BD2,000, or jail time of up to 15 days, or both. Currently, the fine is between BD100 and BD300 while the prison term remains the same.
The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and Supreme Council for Environment are backing tougher punishments.
The GDN previously reported that illegal fishing traps were constantly being removed by the authorities to protect marine wealth from damage caused by harmful practices.
The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry previously revealed that 99 fishing violations were recorded in the first six months of last year.
Unregistered
They included nine cases of unregistered expatriate fishermen, seven cases of nylon fishing nets, four cases of ‘Hayal’ fishing nets, 24 cases of illegal sale of shrimps and crabs, 51 trawling cases and four cases of non-compliant fishing nets.
Meanwhile, books of Bahrain’s two labour federations could be scrutinised by the National Audit Office (NAO), if MPs have their way.
MPs are set to vote on amendments to the 2002 NAO Set-up Law. The proposal was presented by five MPs led by Sayed Falah Hashim.
The issue was debated in 2020 but a stalemate forced a vote until the final term of the four-year parliamentary period.
The NAO told MPs that having labour federations come under their scrutiny was not preferable as they don’t receive any finances from state coffers.
“Scruitinising labour federations is not in line with our scope of work, while we monitor their mother establishments,” the NAO said.
“The International Labour Organisation (ILO) obliges independence in labour federations affairs and we have to take that into account.”
Bahrain’s two labour federations have also opposed the move saying it contradicts their financial and administrative independence.
MPs are also set to approve all amendments by the Shura Council to the 2013 Civil Aviation and the 2019 Environment Laws.
Debate is also set to continue on the 2013 Psychiatric Health Law for the third consecutive week.
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