Authorities incapable of implementing shrimping ban: MP

Manama : A parliamentarian yesterday accused the authorities of being “incapable” of curbing illegal shrimping practices which he said are increasing in the Kingdom.

MP Osama Al Khaja said in a statement issued here yesterday that Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry authorities are weak in implementing shrimping ban.

The MP referred to the repeated breach of the ministerial six-month ban on shrimping between March 15 and September 15 .

“Despite the ban, fresh shrimps are being sold in local and regional markets for as low as BD3 per kilogramme. The ministry is responsible for coordinating with the other authorities to ensure that the ban isn’t breached and violators are punished. This phenomenon has a negative effect on the marine life and fish stock in Bahrain. The ministry’s tackling of this issue isn’t at the required level,” Al Khaja stated.

“Street vendors are wandering around roads and alleys in towns and villages, selling freshly caught Bahraini shrimp. This reflects the weak supervision by the authorities. Fellow GCC countries that impose similar procedures don’t witness breaches at such a high rate,” he added.

DT News reported earlier that the sale and catch of shrimps are banned in Bahrain as per the decision taken by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf issued on March 7.

However, the ban has been violated numerous times as confirmed by local professional fishermen who demand tighter supervision on the sea and harsher punishments for violators of the ban.