Councillors have raised concerns over allegations that fishermen whose boats were removed from Muharraq Jetty were asked to make payments to a personal account before their boats and equipment were released.
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman and area councillor Abdulaziz Al Naar has demanded an explanation from the Fisheries Directorate over the alleged payment arrangement, questioning the legal basis for collecting government fines through a personal BenefitPay number.
Mr Al Naar also said boats continued to be removed from the jetty yesterday despite the council’s earlier call for enforcement action to be suspended until a solution is found to address the shortage of berthing space at Muharraq Jetty.
“Government fines should be collected through officially approved channels and in accordance with the state’s financial regulations,” Mr Al Naar said.
He called for clarification on who receives the money, how payments are recorded and how the funds are subsequently transferred to the appropriate government accounts.
The latest development follows a row at Muharraq Jetty, where around 120 boats belonging to some 500 fishermen were reportedly issued violation notices over docking arrangements.
A vehicle lift was brought to the jetty earlier this week to remove boats, with fishermen told they would have to pay BD80 to recover them, covering fines and towing costs to the Raya Jetty warehouse. The council had unanimously approved a proposal by Mr Al Naar calling for enforcement measures to be halted until adequate docking facilities are provided.
“The fishermen cannot simply be penalised when there are no alternative places available for them to keep their boats,” he said.
Mr Al Naar also renewed calls to utilise a large plot at Muharraq Jetty that was leased to an investor in 2007 for docking-related purposes but remains undeveloped.
He said the land should be considered as part of a wider solution to the shortage of berthing space, particularly given the importance of Muharraq Jetty to Bahrain’s fishing community.
Mr Al Naar called on the relevant authorities to probe the fishermen’s claims regarding the collection of fines. He also urged officials to review the violations and establish a comprehensive arrangement covering registration, berthing and enforcement.
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