Union calls for studies to determine feasibility of shrimping ban

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR), the General Department of Coast Guard and Kuwait Fishermen Union announced the shrimping season in international waters will begin today. "After a seven-month ban, it is important to follow up with neighboring countries and prepare statistics by concerned authorities to determine the feasibility of banning shrimping, and whether there is an actual increase in the numbers of shrimp after the ban," Head of Kuwait Fishermen Union Thaher Al-Suwayyan said.

He stressed that the ban every year does not result in an increase in stocks of shrimp, because of lack of commitment by some fishermen from neighboring countries. Suwayyan pointed out that the society has been demanding for years and will continue to demand through official letters to concerned authorities the necessity of stopping the entry of 'Zubaidi' (pomfret), shrimp and fresh imported 'Kanaad' (narrow-barred Spanish mackerel) from neighboring countries during the fishing ban, "as in previous years we relied on local production." He said this will close the door to transgressing fishermen of neighboring countries who export fish and shrimp caught illegally during the ban.

"The authorities must pay attention to the fishermen union's demands to support local products, work to activate the implementation of decisions and agreements with neighboring countries, and avoid harming local fishermen while others make gains in territorial waters," Suwayyan said. He called on all fishermen to abide by Amiri decree 1980/46 and the laws that organize fishing in order to avoid any irregularities, stressing that whoever commits any violation will face consequences.

By Faten Omar