Bahrain’s fish supply hit

Manama , March 19, 2011

Weather conditions and security measures this week have affected the availability of fish supplies in Bahrain’s markets.

The Coastguard has banned fishermen from entering the sea for security reasons in addition to heavy winds, said Bahrain Fishermen Society president Jassim Al Jeran.

Stocks will likely return to normal by the middle of next week after fishermen are allowed to resume fishing, he added.

"Both reasons began on Sunday and gradually fish started disappearing from the market and by Wednesday, the day of the crackdown, very little fish was available," Al Jeran said.

"Some fishermen who were at sea for days and returned on Thursday were able to sell their fish at the Muharraq Central Market, but no fish has been sold in the Manama Central Market for days.”

"We are even banned to travel to Saudi to buy already caught fish for wholesale traders to sell here, but there are moves to ease the situation in that regard and allow the Saudis to bring us some fish,” he added.

Al Jeran said if weather forecasters predict that on Sunday the heavy winds would end it would support their cause to return to the sea.

"We are currently co-ordinating with the Coastguard, who will negotiate on our behalf with the BDF, to allow us to fish either on Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully a variety of fish will be available in all markets by Wednesday,” he said.

"There is an understanding on the importance of having fish at Bahraini homes, considering it is an essential meal. We are optimistic that with things cooling down, a decision to allow us to go into the sea will be taken before Sunday.”

"The Coastguard's concerns over security are genuine, but most fishermen are known even without identification and we accepted our boats being searched, but stopping us completely will harm business,” Al Jeran concluded. – TradeArabia News Service

Tags: Bahrain | Fish | Manama | Weather |