*** Permanent shrimping ban to be discussed | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Permanent shrimping ban to be discussed

Manama : Shrimping could be banned in the Kingdom permanently, considering the protection of marine life in the Island, it was revealed yesterday.

The government has confirmed that it is currently studying a proposal to permanently ban shrimping, which is done to the extent of harming other sea creatures and endangering the country’s marine life.

This came in the government’s reply to two parliamentary proposals to initiate a national plan to protect marine life and to ban fishing methods that are harmful to the environment.

However, it was also confirmed that the ban would be implemented gradually.

The decision is believed to “protect marine life, enhance the country’s fish produce and contribute in achieving stable food security.” 

The authorities also highlighted that the decision would also improve fishermen’s incomes, by allowing fish shoals to reproduce and grow bigger.

It was also pointed out that only 30pc of shrimp is collected in the “traditional” shrimping process, while the remaining 70pc is usually small fish that has no commercial value and is occasionally wasted.

This will be reviewed and discussed during the upcoming weekly session of the Parliament on Tuesday.