Bahrain's annual seasonal shrimping ban will be lifted from Friday, the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) announced yesterday.
The ban came into effect on February 1, as part of efforts to protect the kingdom’s marine resources.
However, despite the ban, there have been numerous cases of rogue fishermen caught with illegal shrimp hauls.
Punishments stipulated in the 2002 Fishing Organisation, Practice and Protection Law see offenders jailed up to a month, or fined between BD300 and BD1,000, or both, besides having their equipment and haul confiscated.
In its statement yesterday, the SCE urged fishermen to adhere to local laws to protect the marine environment.
Earlier this month, the GDN reported that fishermen in Bahrain have urged authorities to adopt a more scientific and flexible approach towards shrimping, claiming that the annual ban was hurting their livelihoods.
They said that the kingdom should look at models from other GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, and conduct studies and assessment of stocks before initiating a clamp.
“In Saudi Arabia, there is ongoing collaboration with universities and research institutions to conduct studies aimed at developing the shrimping season and reassessing its start date based on environmental and climatic factors,” fisherman Redha Alweneh told the GDN.
“Authorities document catch volumes meticulously to ensure transparency and sustainability.
“Marketing and cultural aspects are not overlooked either, with annual festivals celebrating the shrimp season, boosting local market presence and encouraging consumption.”
In 2018, the use of bottom trawl nets – the reportedly only effective method for commercial shrimp fishing – was banned after it emerged that the country’s fish stocks had dropped by 90 per cent since 2004.
Trawling has one of the highest bycatch rates of all fishing techniques and often damages the sea floor, with nets dragged along the sea bottom, scooping up everything in their path. Species caught include turtles and juvenile fish.
“This decision, made under the banner of environmental protection, was not accompanied by any practical alternatives for fishermen or a clear plan for stock rehabilitation using scientifically studied methods,” said Mr Alweneh.
“The consequences have been dire; hundreds of fishermen have lost their livelihoods and the market has been flooded with illegally caught shrimp sold with little to no effective oversight.”
Mr Alweneh explained that Saudi and Kuwait share nearly identical marine environments as Bahrain and designate a unified shrimping season using the same bottom trawling method, but do so in a regulated and scientifically monitored manner.
He suggested that Bahrain should optimise the season’s start to balance stock levels and fishermen’s needs, rather than dismiss repeated calls from the community and enforce a blanket ban.
The trawl ban has reportedly led to severe economic and social crises for families, stripping them of their sole source of income without compensation or alternatives.
“Why can’t we implement the same successful model practised by our neighbours?” asked Mr Alweneh.
“Sustainability does not mean exclusion or total prohibition, it lies in balancing environmental protection with ensuring a dignified livelihood for those working in the fishing sector.
“Saudi Arabia’s experience can serve as a model for Bahrain and the country should adopt it, rather than continue with a policy of prohibition and marginalisation.
“It is time for Bahraini authorities to reconsider the ban and listen to the fishermen who deserve a seat at the table. It is illogical to announce a fishing season without allowing anyone to fish while violators operate freely.”
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