Hot weather conditions have been blamed for a spike in fish prices in the local market after creating a double blow when it comes to catches.

Rising mercury levels in the past few weeks have dissuaded several fishermen from venturing into the sea, while a few who set out say their task has been made tougher with fish diving deeper into the depths to escape the heat.

SHORTAGE

A resultant shortage of fish has led to the prices of safi, hamour and sherry – cooked often in Bahraini households and restaurants – shooting up in the local market, as reported in yesterday’s GDN.

Bahrain’s Meteorology department expects maximum temperature to hit 45C on Wednesday with humidity touching 95 per cent.

According to Professional Fishermen Society member Abdulla Al Sulaiti, a kilogramme of hamour now costs BD7 while safi is sold for BD4.

“One of the biggest reasons for increase in fish prices now is hot weather that is making it difficult for fishermen to go out in the sea for their daily catch,” Mr Al Sulaiti told the GDN.

“The prevailing weather conditions have also led to many species of fish retreating into deeper waters which makes it difficult for fishermen to net the catch.

“The result is an obvious shortage of supply – which has led to price of hamour (grouper) shooting up to BD7 per kg.

“Earlier, it would cost between BD3 and BD5.

“Safi (rabbitfish) is now sold for BD4 per kg (BD1.500 previously) and sherry for about BD3.500 per kg (BD1).”

He said Covid-19 had also drastically affected their workforce as many expat fishermen who had gone home could not return to Bahrain due to travel restrictions.

Another bone of contention, according to many fishermen, is a rule enforced since 2018 by authorities under which only two people are allowed to be on board fishing boats.

In 2018, a trawling ban was introduced in Bahrain after it emerged the country’s fish stocks had dropped by 90pc since 2004.

TOUGH

The ban also included a prohibition on export of 14 species of sea life, including fresh or frozen fish and shrimp, a reduction in the number of fishermen allowed on each dhow or small fishing boat and a training scheme for Bahraini fishermen.

MPs have said in the past that 273 fishermen were affected by the trawling ban decision.

“Working in the sea in such hot conditions is a tough job and reducing the number of fishermen does not help, how can they navigate and catch fish,” Mr Al Sulaiti said.

“Due to shortage of expat fishermen, current hot weather conditions and the two-person rule on boats, fish prices have increased in the local market.”

Similar views were echoed by another society member Fayez Alorais, who also blamed illegal fishing for the drop in supplies.

“There are so many unlicensed fishermen out there or even those who go out for fun to catch popular fish on weekends or holidays,” said Mr Alorais.

“Nothing is done to stop them, but licensed fishermen like us cannot have more than two people onboard a vessel.”

The Coastguard has arrested scores of fishermen over the last two years for violating the rules.

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