Official announcement on the start of shrimp fishing in international waters was greeted with a cautious note by fishermen, who have long claimed that the annual ban on fishing shrimp does nothing to increase the availability of shrimp after the ban.

On Wednesday, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR), the General Department of Coast Guard and Kuwait Fishermen Union announced the start of the annual shrimping season with boats being allowed to fish shrimp in international waters.

“After a seven-month ban, it is important for the concerned authorities to follow up with neighboring countries and prepare statistics to determine whether the banning of shrimping actually increases shrimp numbers after the ban is removed,” said the Head of Kuwait Fishermen Union, Thaher Al-Suwayyan.

He pointed out that the annual ban does not result in an increase in stocks of shrimp, because of lack of commitment by some fishermen from neighboring countries who continue to fish during the off-season. Suwayyan pointed out that the society has been demanding for years, and will continue to demand through official letters to the concerned authorities, of the need to stop the entry of ‘Zubaidi’ (pomfret), shrimp and fresh imported ‘Kanaad’ (narrow-barred Spanish mackerel) from neighboring countries during the fishing ban and instead rely on local catch. He said that the ban on products from neighboring countries will close the door to their export of fish and shrimp caught illegally during the ban period.

“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.


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