DOHA: With the onset of the peak summer season, hamour, the fish which is extremely popular with citizens, is in short supply, triggering a price rise.
Fishermen fear the authorities may curb or totally ban its catch to protect the species from being extinct.
Hamour is not available in the Gulf waters in quantities they were a few years ago, and many believe the species are endangered due to excessive fishing.
The UAE is said to be considering imposing a ban on its catch to protect the species with fishermen fearing the authorities in Qatar may follow suit.
Already restrictions are in place introduced by the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning with regard to fishing and the minimum length of a Hamour fish caught for sale is fixed at 15 inches.
Since it is an expensive and most popular fish in the region, fishermen admit they shudder at the thought of seeing its catch banned. But there are some who argue a ban, at least a temporary one, is needed to protect the species from being extinct.
According to market sources, the demand for hamour has multiplied manifold over the past few years.
There has been a huge increase in the number of eateries in the region as the population has grown at a rapid pace mainly due to higher local birth rate and a higher influx of foreign workers.
Most of these eateries have hamour on their menu and according to market sources, medium and big-time restaurants and hotels here are the largest buyers of the hamour. They buy stocks in bulk.
Hamour prices have been fluctuating recently in the wholesale market heavily due to these factors and market operatives fear that if the situation continues, its price per kg may soon soar.
By Jaber Al Musallam
© The Peninsula 2009
