A CALL to reassess and redevelop Bahrain’s public jetties has been made by parliamentarians and municipal officials following mounting complaints from fishermen that they are being displaced by urban development and investment projects.
Currently, Bahrain has 11 official jetties, but many professional fishermen say they are struggling to find docking space – forcing them to transport their boats daily or store them far from their fishing grounds.
Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Mohammed Al Bulooshi confirmed that the issue had reached the committee’s attention and would be formally discussed with the Oil and Environment Ministry.
Mr Al Bulooshi ... fishing profession survival
“We have received complaints about limited docking spaces and fishermen having to transport boats on a daily basis,” Mr Al Bulooshi told the GDN.
“The current jetties need redevelopment to accommodate licensed fishermen. These facilities are essential for the livelihoods of many Bahrainis, and we need to ensure they are properly planned and maintained.
“We will be co-ordinating with the Oil and Environment Ministry and other authorities to assess current capacities and identify where expansion or new jetties are needed,” he said. “Fishermen are a vital part of Bahrain’s social and economic fabric, and their needs must be prioritised.”
As Bahrain continues to expand its urban coastline, councillors and MPs alike are urging a comprehensive national plan to ensure that the kingdom’s fishermen are not left without a place to dock – or without a sea to call their own.
The senior MP explained that the government’s focus on coastal development, while beneficial for tourism and investment, has unintentionally put pressure on traditional fishing areas.
“Urbanisation and investment projects are taking up coastal spaces and, in some cases, fishermen have been asked to leave long-established sites,” he said.
“Our role is to make sure that development goes hand-in-hand with preserving Bahrain’s maritime traditions and ensuring that fishermen – both professional and amateur – have proper facilities.”
The GDN’s investigation found that shortages of spaces are most severe in Sitra, Ras Raya and Askar, where both professional and hobbyist fishermen have reported overcrowding and limited access to the jetties.
Mr Al Naar .. fishing solutions
Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said the problem has worsened in recent years as many fishermen were displaced from their traditional docking areas to make way for coastal reclamation and investment projects.
“In some places, fishermen have been pushed back so far with reclamation that they can’t even dock their boats,” he said. “We’re talking about livelihoods being affected and traditions being squeezed. Fishing is not just a job – it’s part of Bahrain’s identity.”
Mr Al Naar urged authorities to designate and protect specific areas for fishermen and to expand or modernise existing jetties to meet growing demand.
“Jetties should not be an afterthought,” he said. “They must be developed to suit the needs of licensed fishermen, with enough space and facilities to operate safely and efficiently.”
The concerned fishermen society was unable for comment.
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