Fresh Bahraini shrimp will be back on the menu today following the lifting of a seasonal ban on shrimping.
Around 20,000kg of the popular crustacean, considered a local delicacy, is expected to be caught on the first day alone.
Shrimps were last year sold at BD3 per kg following the Covid-19 pandemic with a lower yield than usual in past years.
The same price per kilogram is expected if not higher this year, according to professionals in the fishing industry.
Muharraq Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Ahmed Al Meghawi, who comes from a lineage of fishmongers, told the GDN a bumper catch was expected.
“Fishermen are looking forward to being able to fish for shrimp as the season is beginning and stocks will be plentiful,” he said.
“Hopefully this year’s season will be better than last year, because last year the lifting of the ban coincided with a relaxation in strict coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions.
“Whether the prices are the same or higher from last year will depend on multiple factors related to supply and demand, cost of operations and maintenance, and profitability margins.”
A six-month ban on shrimping is imposed in Bahraini waters every year from February 1 to July 31, coinciding with the mating season of the shrimps and to allow their stocks to replenish.
Similar bans are also imposed in other GCC countries.
However, MP Khalid Bu Onk, who comes from a family of boat captains, said there could be more shrimps to catch in the sea, but it will depend on availability.
“It is not like shrimps will be jumping around for fishermen to catch, they will have to explore new grounds, to get a bigger yield, and with available proper fishing time, I estimate the catch to be similar to that of last year,” he said.
“The supply in the market is expected to be plentiful since it is just the beginning but as stocks get exhausted the prices will be driven higher.”
Shrimp fisherman Redha Al Wannah said a catch of 20,000kg was expected on the first day.
“However, it all depends on various factors. The sea could be generous and it could be treacherous, it all depends on the fishing grounds and the use of new technologies after the ban on trawling,” he said.
“From a general perception, I can say the 37kg cooler would be sold for between BD70 and BD90, and this means that the cost per kilogramme would be BD3 for consumers.
“The price could be higher depending on the catch; the lower the catch, the higher the price.
“However, we are optimistic as it is the season in which we make our living.”
Despite the ban, there are numerous instances of rogue fishermen caught with illegal shrimp hauls.
Punishments highlighted in the 2002 Fishing Organisation, Practise and Protection Law would see offenders jailed up to a month, or fined between BD300 and BD1,000, or both, besides having their equipment and haul confiscated.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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