The government has been urged to take immediate measures to improve the conditions of Bahraini fishermen and sailors, safeguard their livelihoods, and preserve the nation’s maritime heritage, following a parliamentary move yesterday unanimously approved by MPs.
The urgent proposal – submitted by five MPs, led by Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam and presented on behalf of the group by MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi, has been now referred to the government for consideration.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of Bahrain’s traditional fishing industry and the challenges faced by local fishermen, including rising operational costs, licensing issues and competition from unregulated fishing activities.
Mr Al Olaiwi, speaking on behalf of the proposers, described the initiative as ‘vital for protecting one of Bahrain’s oldest professions and the families who depend on it’.
“Fishing is not just an occupation – it is part of Bahrain’s identity and heritage,” Mr Al Olaiwi said. “Many Bahraini families rely on it as their only source of income.
“We must ensure that these professions are preserved, modernised and protected from decline.”
The approved proposal outlines several recommendations, including:
- Developing a national plan to regulate fishing methods, ensuring sustainability and the protection of marine resources.
- Reactivating Tamkeen support programmes and including fuel subsidies for fishermen to help sustain their livelihoods.
- Helping to reduce the renting of licences to expatriate workers.
- Allowing Bahrainis to train at sea without requiring a ‘Mayad’ card, enabling new generations to gain experience alongside professional fishermen.
- Regulating amateur fishing so that it does not compete with professionals, limiting it to the use of fishing rods only.
- Involving professional fishermen’s associations in shaping sector reforms to ensure decisions reflect their real needs and interests.
- And offering generous financial compensation to fishermen who voluntarily relinquish their licences.
Mr Al Musallam, who led the initiative, emphasised that the matter has already been personally raised with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa following a meeting with representatives from the Bahrain Professional Fishermen Association.
“There is an issue with the availability of Bahraini fishing captains and with the sector in general,” Mr Al Musallam said. “The government has a duty to address this matter seriously, but we in Parliament also have a national responsibility to act and protect the interests of Bahraini fishermen.”
He stressed that improving fishermen’s conditions and ensuring the sustainability of marine resources remain matters of national importance, tied directly to Bahrain’s economic resilience and food security.
“The proposal’s unanimous approval reflects a shared parliamentary commitment to revitalising the fishing sector – a cornerstone of Bahrain’s cultural and economic identity – and to ensuring that Bahrainis can continue to depend on the sea as a sustainable source of livelihood for generations to come,” said Mr Al Musallam.
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