Fishermen weigh pros and cons of shrimp fishing ban

Local fishermen have expressed different views regarding the ongoing ban on shrimp fishing in the Qatar’s waters, which has been in effect for around 31 years.

According to local Arabic daily Arrayah, some fishermen feel that such a ban has contributed considerably to the development and growth of fisheries in the country over the years, while others believe that it needs to be amended and modified to ease the restrictions and allow a certain number of entities to fish for shrimp using specified techniques and tools within welldefined time-frames.

Those in favour of easing the restrictions reason that this could lead to easing the demand on fishing for other varieties of seafood, in addition to checking the high prices of imported shrimps through to the availability of a local product.

Jassim al-Linjawi, a member of the fishermen’s committee, said that the decision to ban the fishing for shrimp locally was issued in 1991 and remains in effect.

He explained that the decision was taken because it was observed that large quantities of small fish died during the process of fishing for shrimp.

This was because shrimps lived in the muddy seabed, which required the fishing nets to be lowered to around 2030cm in the seabed.

Due to this, a large number of small fish living there were caught in the nets and eventually died.

Al-Linjawi said that similar experiences were seen in other GCC countries, and that there is a ban on shrimp fishing in Bahrain and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia allows it for around 5-6 months a year, while Oman permits it for one month only.

Kuwait allows it for an annual season.

Al-Linjawi suggested that the authorities concerned in Qatar should study the possibility of easing the ban with certain terms and conditions, allowing the fishing for shrimp while maintaining the wellbeing of the marine life and environment.

Similarly, fisherman Saif alFadala felt that the relevant entities should explore the possibility of permitting shrimp fishing locally for a period of three to four months while taking into consideration all biological and environmental factors.

Fisherman and fishing vessels owner Yousef al-Mannai stressed that the ban on fishing shrimps has more benefits for local fisheries than disadvantages.

However, he added that designating some areas at certain times/seasons of the year to allow the fishing of shrimps would be an added benefit.