EXPATRIATE workers could be banned from commercial fishing in Bahraini waters, if MPs have their way.
Under urgent amendments to the 2002 Fishing Organisation, Catching and Protection Law, only locals would be allowed to work in the commercial fishing profession.
Vessel owners or captains could be allowed to have three of their family members accompanying them on board – up to third degree relatives such as a first cousin, great-grandparent, great-aunt, great-uncle, great-niece, great-nephew, great-grandchild, half-aunt, or half-uncle.
GCC nationals, however, would not be considered as expats and would be treated as Bahrainis in all procedures, rules and regulations.
Five MPs, led by foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Hassan Bukhammas, yesterday submitted the urgent amendments to Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, who will ask for a vote during today’s session to refer the matter to the public utilities and environment affairs committee to review.
“There are around 2,000 expatriates working in the fishing sector who could be easily replaced by Bahrainis,” Mr Bukhammas told the GDN. “The sea, despite shrinking in size due to reclamation, sand drifting and other geographical and environmental issues, is still rich with catch.
“If the profession was limited to Bahrainis then the average monthly pay could be between BD500 and BD1,000, besides bonuses during high seasons.
“The profession was for many decades a Bahraini-only affair before being invaded by expats from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It could return to that way if expats were banned and Bahraini captains or vessel owners had no other choice but to employ local fishermen.”
Also under the suggested amendments, all vessels would have to be registered under the concerned government authorities with precise information on manufacturing specifications and enhancements, modifications or additions, and fishing equipment by picture and number, alongside exact details of crew members.
All of those on board would have to be registered under an employer, either the vessel owner or captain, who would be fully responsible for any violation, breach or crime, unless it was proven that the accused had acted in a personal manner and in total disregard to instructions or procedures.
The licence would also determine designated fishing locations and the specifications of fixed nets, if used.
At least 1,200 active fishing licences are currently registered with the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry.
Mr Bukhammas claimed expatriate fishermen ‘exploit the sea and trespass on other parts of the Arabian Gulf’ under the flag of neighbouring countries.
“Many expats just overcatch in a bid to make as much money as possible even if they see a turtle stuck in the net, they would tear the limbs to get rid of it, while all turtles are protected by law,” claimed Mr Bukhammas.
“They also sail into the waters of other countries despite GPS alerts just to get their hands on a bigger yield and many have been caught in the past.”
Mr Bukhammas said the move to include family members would help with the continuation of the profession and entice new generations to take up the career.
“The three family members will be considered as vice-captains and not normal crew,” he suggested. “Giving responsibilities to younger generations makes them interested in commercial fishing, which is a vital source of Bahrain’s food security efforts.”
In 2018, a trawling ban was introduced in Bahrain after it emerged that the country’s fish stocks had dropped by 90 per cent since 2004.
Coastguard Corporal Ammar Ebrahim Isa, 26, was killed in May 2021 when his patrol vessel was rammed by a boat attempting to flee the scene after it was warned by officers to stop over a suspected violation of a shrimping ban.
Corporal Isa, a resident of Busaiteen, was the captain of the patrol vessel. Two of his colleagues were also injured in the incident.
Investigations at the time revealed that suspects, all Asians, set sail on the boat owner’s request to catch shrimp in violation of a ban order.
They tried to flee when they saw the marine patrol but their vessel collided with the police boat, causing it to capsize, and resulting in the death of a policeman and the injury of several others onboard, the investigators found.
The Public Prosecution also found that the suspects had a history of fishing-related violations and non-compliance with Coastguard orders.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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