Fishermen violating shrimping ban assault inspectors, one hurt

Manama : An inspector of Marine Resources Directorate was injured after officials tasked to monitor the coasts to prevent breach of the shrimping ban were attacked by fishermen violating the ban at Sitra yesterday. 

The injured inspector has been admitted to the hospital for treatment. The attackers fled the scene but the police were able to arrest them later.

“One of the inspectors sustained multiple injuries. He is admitted to an hospital for treatment,” said Agriculture and Marine Resources Undersecretary Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Khalifa in a statement issued yesterday.

“The violators attempted to run-over the inspectors while fleeing the scene using their private car. The suspects are arrested and the case referred to the prosecution,” Shaikh Khalifa confirmed. 

The incident occurred at Sitra Fishermen’s Port to the eastern coasts of the island. The inspectors belonged to the Agriculture and Marine Resources Directorate under the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry. They were tasked to monitor the coasts to prevent any breach of the ongoing six-month shrimping ban.

The official strongly condemned the repeated attacks on the directorate’s inspectors for performing their duty to preserve marine resources and to enforce the law.

“The directorate will take the necessary legal steps against the culprits in accordance with Article 222 of the Bahraini Penal Code,” he said.

The Article states, “A punishment of imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine not exceeding BD50 shall be inflicted upon any person who offends with the use of signs, saying, writing or by any other method a civil servant or officer entrusted with a public service during or by reason of carrying out the duties of his office or service. The punishment shall be imprisonment for no less than three months or a fine of at least BD50 if the offence takes place during the convening of a court sitting and is intended against the panel of judges or against the members of the said panel.”

As for beaching the shrimping ban, violators will be subjected to the penalties mentioned under Law 20 of 2002 that include revoking their fishing licenses and confiscating their ships and equipment.