DOHA - The rising temperature of Qatar's open sea water coupled with the impacts of the recently lashed cyclonic winds in deep sea, have led to an unprecedented shortage in supply of fish at the local market.
Popular varieties like Hamur and King Fish, that tickle the palate of both the nationals and expatriates, have literally vanished from Doha market. Acute shortage has forced many vendors to down the shutters at Doha Central Market.
According to official sources, Qatar's open sea water temperature had touched 33 degree Celsius immediately before the cyclone hit the Arabian Sea. Though the wind has brought down the sea water temperature for few days, it became warmer once the cyclone subsided, marine experts point out.
Going by the initial indications, the experts predict a poor catch during this summer that would lead to further shortage of fish in the market. They recall that Qatar's open sea water temperature had touched an high of 37 degree Celsius during peak summer last year. "The fact that the temperature had gone up to 33 degree even during early June this time indicates that the catch would become weaker in the coming months," sources told The Peninsula.
For want of sufficient stuff in the local market, Doha has stopped exporting fish to the neighbouring countries. Now the local market is solely surviving on prawns imported from Iran and Saudi Arabia and the least sought-after mackerel and sardines.
However, varieties like shamal safi, sheri, rubeib, subeidi, iskar and pomfret, that are normally in less demand, are available in the market these days. But their price have touched an all-time-high.
Yesterday, several vendors were forced to close down their stalls well before 9am.
"Normally we sell 40kg to 50kg per day. But these days we are getting hardly 10kg from the wholesalers. The stock would be sold out within hours. We have not received hamur and king fish for the last three days. Due to the non-availability of their favourite variety, customers have stopped visiting the market these days," said another vendor.
Bashir, an Indian expatriate vendor said similar shortage in supply are witnessed only during peak summer. "This is the first time the market is facing such an acute shortage of fish during the month of June. Fishermen say they cannot venture into deep sea as strong wind continues to lash in the outer sea," he said.
© The Peninsula 2007
