MP Al Olaiwi urges government to act fast to repair state of Bahrain’s fishing trade

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Al Olaiwi has urged the government to move fast to repair the state of Bahrain’s fishing trade, saying some recent rulings have hurt fishermen and seafarers and put their income at risk.

The government said it agreed with the aim of the proposal and would keep going with schemes meant to help those working in the sector, keep fishing viable and support food supply.

Al Olaiwi said he had met fishermen and seafarers and found clear disagreement among them over a number of recent rulings. Some, he said, had not been properly studied, leading fish to move away from Bahrain’s territorial waters.

He said he was in favour of the ban on shrimp fishing by kraf, saying the method had damaged the seabed, fashts and traditional fishing grounds.

But he said kraf fishing could be allowed in waters where there are no fashts.

The government said Tamkeen, under Law No. 57 of 2006, helps Bahrainis build work skills and strengthen their earning power through schemes that also cover those in the fishing trade. It said the aim was to raise output and help workers stay in the field.

It added that support also includes incentives for holders of commercial registrations, along with funding through Bahrain Development Bank for Bahraini fishermen to buy gear and operating supplies.

Reply

The reply also referred to diesel support and funding for equipment as part of wider efforts to protect marine resources, grow fish stocks and lift production.

It said the bodies concerned were still studying the real needs of fishermen and seafarers, while looking at better ways to support them, give them more economic stability and preserve marine resources for future generations.