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Kingfish, popularly known as channad, is off the menu for the next two months, with a ban imposed on catching, selling and displaying the species for sale from Friday until October 15.
According to the Supreme Council for Environment, the seasonal ban aims to protect the species during its spawning season and preserve marine resources.
“The decision prohibits the catching of kingfish from August 15 to October 15 using nets in the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the display and sale of kingfish in markets and public places for marketing or commercial purposes during the ban period,” the council said in a statement.
“Banning the fishing of kingfish during the spawning season aims to increase the stock, regulate fishing and prevent overexploitation of fisheries, thereby ensuring continuity and balance within marine ecosystems.
“We would like to stress the importance of continued co-ordination and joint work with the relevant authorities responsible for protecting marine resources, as well as the commitment of fishermen to the regulations governing the fishing sector.
“Necessary measures will be taken to ensure the enforcement of the ban in a manner that preserves and sustains marine resources.”
The decision was adopted as part of the resolutions of the GCC Agricultural Co-operation Committee during its 23rd meeting, which stipulated measures for the protection of kingfish.
Bahrain also has seasonal bans for crabs and shrimp to protect stocks and allow them to replenish. Environmentalists believe the measure should be expanded to include more marine creatures.
A two-month seasonal ban on catching sheri, safi and andaq fish started on April 1 and lasted until May 31. Additionally, a two-month ban on crab fishing came into effect on March 15 and concluded on May 15.
There is also an annual six-month ban on fishing and trading in shrimps, which started on February 1 and ended on July 31 this year. It prohibits all methods of catching, selling and buying shrimp during the period.
Bahrain’s fishermen have been urging authorities to modify annual seasonal bans by restricting fishing to a certain level, rather than imposing a complete clamp, to ensure the sustainability of the fish species as well as allow fishermen to do their jobs.
The society had uploaded a video on their social media platforms showing one of the local fish markets almost completely empty of both traders and customers.
One fisherman said in the video that nobody was buying or selling anything, and he was afraid of not being able to make ends meet.
Later that week, GDN reported that MPs unanimously approved an urgent proposal to provide financial compensation to fishermen hit by the ban.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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