MORE than half a tonne of shrimp was confiscated in April by the Maritime Control Directorate, which has vowed to step up monitoring of coasts to crack down on illegal fishing that has led to depletion of fish stocks in Bahrain.
According to the directorate at the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry’s Marine and Agriculture Resources Agency, five marine violations were registered in April, which resulted in the confiscation of 539,195kg of shrimp – the fishing of which is prohibited from February 1 until July 31 every year.
A total of 32 reports of other violations were received during the month from the Coast Guard Directorate.
“The Maritime Control Directorate patrols central markets, fish shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets, sea ports and coasts to apprehend violators of fishing laws and those who sell small fish and crustaceans,” said the agency yesterday.
“Nets and traps alongside everything related to marine fishing that comes through, land, sea and airports are inspected before their entry to Bahrain, while reports and seizures are referred to the Public Prosecution.”
Maritime Control director Khalid Al Shirawi said they are working with concerned authorities to develop a joint plan for optimal utilisation of marine resources.
“The directorate will monitor coasts with the goal of regulating the area and protecting fish stock through the application of rules and regulations,” Mr Al Shirawi said.
“This includes periodic monitoring of licensed fishing vessels anchored outside ports.
“Violators who use floating nets, locally named ‘Al Hiyali’ or nylon nets to catch dugongs, turtles and dolphins will also be arrested.”
Mr Al Shirawi said meetings were being held on a regular basis between the Maritime Control Directorate and the Fishermen’s Society and senior professional fishermen to discuss and enforce laws.
The directorate said 3.5 tonnes of fish were confiscated last year. A total of 195 fishing violations were also reported.
These include 92 cases of selling small fish while 52 reports pertained to use of banned trawling nets for shrimping besides 25 other violations.
“It is not permitted to authorise or license any activity related to marine wealth except after receiving approvals from the directorate,” Mr Al Shirawi added.
MPs have claimed that increase in industrial pollution and red tide - the common name for harmful algal blooms occurring along the coast - have led to thousands of dead fish washing ashore in Ma’ameer and Eker over the years.
Councillors from Muharraq have called for a comprehensive list of fish stocks in Bahrain’s territorial waters over concerns that some species could face extinction over the next decade.
The GDN earlier reported on new initiatives that have been launched in Bahrain to achieve food security. It includes aqua-farming, animal and agriculture projects as well as increasing the production of poultry.
aref@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))