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The strong winds lashing across the Doha coast for the last few days have forced a large number of fishing vessels to the shores. |
Those engaged in the fishing activities said most of them would be forced to remain anchored at least for the next couple of days if the prevailing winds were any indication.
According to fishermen, the intensity of the winds is unlikely to come down at least until Friday morning.
Some of the boats which had ventured out last Saturday are now berthed at Ala and Halul islands as they are unable to return to the shores because of the strong winds.
“The winds have adversely affected the fishermen’s plans and considerable damage seems to have been caused to a large number of baskets kept under sea,” said one of the fishermen based in Wakrah.
He said on Sunday not even a single fishing boat went
to sea.
At the fishing harbours in Wakrah, Ruweis and Doha, hundreds of small and large boats are berthed owing to the adverse climatic conditions, inquiries found. The situation at Dukhan too is not different either.
The strong winds have also affected the business at the retail stalls at Doha Central market. There have been very little arrival of fresh stocks in the last 48 hours and if the situation continues for a couple of days more, the prices will continue to soar, said Abdul Saleem, a stall owner at the market.
“The supplies to be made to the major customers like hotels under the annual contracts too have been hit heavily in the past few days,” he added.
Another wholesaler said he had to pay QR60 per kg for King fish (small) to be delivered to one of his institutional customers. The large King fish cost more than QR40 per kg at wholesale prices, inquiries found.
Hamour too has become dearer and was selling at QR40-45 per kg at the main market.