Councillors have urged a crackdown on rogue anglers and traders who plunder the ocean’s wealth by catching and selling fingerlings and other under-sized fish.
They warned that such harmful and illegal practices would continue to lead to a rapid decline of the local fish stock, threatening the country’s food security.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry marine resources’ fishing jetties supervisor Waleed Al Mahmeed revealed that a recently conducted extensive study into fish reproduction, stocks and availability produced shocking results.
The official, who was speaking at the Southern Municipal Council meeting at the Southern Municipality in West Riffa yesterday, suggested a two-month ban maybe introduced on catching Bahrain’s most popular fish – Saafi (rabbit fish) over concerns of dwindling stocks and spiraling prices.
This follows reports of traders selling premature fish, especially Saafi, in markets and shops across the country. According to the rules, the minimum length sold should be 18cm.
The 2002 Fishing Organisation, Practice and Protection Law states that ‘fishing larvae and small marine creatures of lengths below the recognisable and reasonable limits stated in our charts is prohibited.”
Under the law, the punishment fishermen could face is a month in jail, or a fine of between BD300 and BD1,000, or both, if found guilty of the offence.
The Coastguard has arrested scores of offenders over the years for violations but the practice continues because of the financial profits.
Councillor Hamad Al Zoubi has called for closer monitoring. “Sensible fishing helps protect future stocks and ensures healthy seafood is always available on the table,” he said.
“There has to be more monitoring in the sea and in the markets too. Anyone caught catching or selling finger-sized or smaller fish should pay the price with stricter punishments. It is haram, inhumane and selfish.
“If such improper fishing continues, within a few years we will be reduced to watching our favourite dishes being shown on old cooking channels with future generations wondering why we didn’t act to save the stock.”
The country already imposes a seasonal ban on shrimps, crabs and Kanad, a narrow-barred Spanish mackerel.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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