Tourism in Bahrain requires concentration and commitment.
The latest ‘Artificial reefs could drive new tourism initiative’ (GDN, July 27) is actually not new.
Back in 1986, I shared my observations with the relevant authorities from my spear fishing adventures and pointed out that we need artificial reefs.
I was told that there was an American-Korean marine biologist working for the government, who said the same thing.
Apparently, he faced problems from fishermen over illegal use of certain fishing nets.
I understand that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, built some 40 artificial reefs as a trial back in 1992.
I understand they proved successful in attracting vast quantities of fish to make these reefs a permanent habitat.
As a spear fishing hunter, I learned to appreciate the sea and its wonderful creatures – the sea cows (dugongs), sharks, sawfish, groupers, pearls, and so on.
I learned to control myself and ‘harvest’ selectively what I wanted to consume.
I saw places with more than 50 groupers, in shallow waters – beautiful places that would certainly be attractive for tourists. I took only one grouper.
However, all this needs committed protection by the government as people tend to destroy God’s magic – the beautiful sea.
I did see some cars, dumped into the sea as artificial reefs, but the sea would quickly corrode the iron, and the cars would disappear.
Proper materials need to be used.
So yes, artificial reefs would certainly be a bonus for tourism, but they must be protected.
Good luck Bahrain.
Karim Mansouri
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