‘A day will come when local shrimp will disappear’

KUWAIT: The seven-month ban on shrimping in Kuwaiti waters began from Jan 1, 2019. The ban also prevents Kuwaiti trawlers from shrimping in international waters and the delivery of shrimps during this period, which ends on July 31, 2019. The decision, a copy of which was obtained by Kuwait Times, however allows the import of fresh and frozen shrimps by air and via Shuwaikh Port.

President of the Kuwaiti Fishermen Union Thaher Al- Suwayyan told Kuwait Times that Doha Port should ban fresh shrimp from neighboring countries "Challenges are many and the profession is unappealing. A day will come when local shrimp will disappear," he warned, calling on concerned authorities to tighten supervision and close Doha Port completely to imported fresh shrimp. He added the fishermen's union extends a helping hand to government authorities, mainly the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR).

Suwayyan praised the efforts of the fisheries sector, hoping that the ban will be sufficient for PAAAFR to study a new mechanism for shrimping in Kuwaiti territorial waters, pointing out that Kuwait this year lost hundreds of tons of local shrimp harvested from territorial waters. He hoped that the ban will be implemented in cooperation with neighboring countries and that supervision will be tightened so as not to sell fresh shrimp exported from neighboring countries that are presumed to be bound by the ban, according to agreements.

Suwayyan praised the efforts of customs officers, who from time to time seize tons of foul fish before it enters the country and is sold in the markets, stressing the need to hold accountable anyone trying to manipulate public health. As for the challenges facing the fishermen, he highlighted the lack of a fishing village and a special zone where all services are available, along with the need to increase support to fisheries in the same way as other sectors. He urged concerned authorities to support the fishing sector and resolve its problems "before it is too late."

By Faten Omar