August 9, 2013

Due to illegal fishing, Bahrain's shrimp population has dropped by 75% and over 200 local dhows have been caught illegally during the four-month shrimping ban.

The illegal fishers have been fined up to BHD300 (US$793) and had their licences temporarily suspended, Fishermen's Protection Society president Jassim Al Jeran was quoted as saying.

"Shrimp populations are only 25% of what they were compared with last year," Al Jeran told the newspaper. "So when legal shrimpers came back this year, the population was diminished and many of them are not shrimping as frequently because it is just not worth it. There are 400 fishermen, 270 dhows and 100 boats registered to catch shrimp. They are bringing in between 200 and 300 large containers daily. The quantity is enough currently, but prices have increased from BHD1.5 (US$4) to BHD2/kilogramme (US$5.30). It is still unknown how it will affect the future supply of shrimp in the local market."

Last year, more than 150 dhows were caught breaking the law during off-season, which Al Jeran said was in place to protect the country's stock.

"No less than 200 vessels were caught during the ban this year," he said. "They used tactics such as switching off their lights and parking their vessels closer to the shore lines. Those who did shrimp during the ban did so in bulk, which has drastically affected the population."