Lack of boats, crew ‘to blame for fish shortage’

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

The recurring shortage of fish in the local market has been attributed to low number of fishing vessels and fewer fishermen plying their trade.

Though there has been a four-fold rise in the country’s population over 12 years, the number of fishing vessels operating in the country’s territorial waters has remained more or less stagnant at around 950 during the last two decades, sources told Gulf Times.

While the country had only a little over 540,000 residents in July 2002, latest figures have put the population at 2.69mn. The number of active fishermen in Qatar range from 4,000 to 5,000, almost all Asian expatriates, according to sources. This number has stayed more or less the same during the past 20 years.

At any given point in time, some 10%-15% of the fishermen are away in their home countries and another 15%-20% reportedly remains onshore, inquiries found.

This in effect reduces the number of those engaged in fishing operations, and consequently has a knock-on effect on total fish catch.

The rise in the country’s population has necessitated the importance for issuing more fishing boat licences. It is learnt that no new licences have been issued in the last several years.

“One of the main reasons for a shortage in catch is because there has been virtually no growth in the number of fishing boats in the country,” said a boat operator.

An increase in the number of fishing boats is vital to address the issue of fish shortage in the local market, he felt.

It is believed that if more licences were issued the number of fishermen is likely to increase.

For the fish shortage issue to be tackled effectively, it is necessary that there are more boats and fishermen, feel industry sources.

Qatar’s waters have the best fish stock among neighbouring countries and therefore there is a possibility for improved catch, the sources added

The fishermen pointed out that fishing rules were liberal in Qatar whereas in some other GCC states numerous restrictions have had adverse effects.

While hailing the trawling ban in the country’s waters - which has been in place for several years now -  the fishermen felt community members would reap its benefits only if there is a sharp increase in the number of new boats and fishermen.