MPs back lifting ‘Karaf’ trawl ban
TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
Parliament yester - day backed an urgent move to scrap Decision 205 of 2018, the ban on bottom-trawl net fishing, known locally as ‘Karaf’.
The vote asks the government to lift the ban and replace it with rules.
The motion was put forward by MPs Khalid Buanaq, Hisham Al Awadhi, Ahmed Qarata, Zainab AbdulAmeer and Ahmed Al Salloom.
Buanaq said the seven years since the ban took effect have not brought a clear rise in fish stocks or diversity in Bahrain’s waters.
He said some fish and shrimp have shifted to neighbouring waters, which has cut the income of local fishermen and thinned supply in markets.
Lawful work
The lawmaker added that licensed fishermen have been shut out of lawful work while unlicensed fishing has grown, tilting fair competition at home.
Rather than a blanket ban, Buanaq called for controlled use of bottom-trawl nets under set rules that keep the marine habitat in mind and protect household incomes. He said the item was fasttracked due to its direct effect on fishermen and the marine environment.
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