Overfishing threat prompts tighter fishing rules, council says

TDT | Manama

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The Supreme Council for Environment has defended Bahrain’s new fishing regulations in a reply to Parliament, citing a UN Food and Agriculture Organization study that called for cutting fishing effort by about 45 per cent to restore sustainability.

Responding to a question from MP Mohammed Al Rifai, the council said environmental and technical indicators show a clear decline in fish stocks, which it linked to overfishing and the misuse of certain methods.

Data from the General Directorate of Marine Resources show 1,373 valid fishing licence s , 6 0 4 licences for pearl fishing and extraction, 1 5 0 hadra trap licences and 744 issued under the ‘Bahraini fisher’ category, with about 520 Bahrainis actively practising fishing. The council said procedures to require a Bahraini captain on commercial vessels are still being finalised.

The council said recent controls are based on specialist studies, citing Decision No. 205 of 2018 banning bottom trawling nets and Decision No. 6 of 2025 regulating nets, gargoor traps, hadra traps and fishing lines.

Catch data showed finfish landings fell from about 7.8 million kg in 2014 to 3.3 million kg in 2023, before recovering to around 4.7 million kg in 2025. The council said banning the ‘karaf’ trawling method raised fish and crustacean production by 16.9 per cent in 2019 and helped restore biodiversity and reduce bycatch. It said temporary restrictions aim to rebuild stocks, protect nursery habitats and support food security. Central Market figures put total fish quantities at 8,315.8 tonnes in 2024 and 6,849.6 tonnes in 2025, with remaining demand met through regulated imports.