SCE announces seasonal fishing ban on Safi, Shaari and Andag
The measure forms part of the Kingdom of Bahrain's efforts to conserve marine resources, restore ecological balance, rehabilitate marine ecosystems, and increase both the quantity and diversity of fish available in local markets.
The council explained that the edict prohibits the fishing of these species in Bahrain's territorial waters during April and May each year. Fishermen who inadvertently catch these species during the ban period must release them immediately back into the sea, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
BNA(R)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
20-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
‘Review Shrimp Trawling Ban' : Expert urges Gulf nations to reexamine restrictions based on ‘questionable' data evidence
Flawed data used to justify the Gulf shrimp trawling ban should be urgently reassessed, according to fisheries consultant Dr. Ibrahim Abdulqader. Speaking at Bahrain's Professional Fishermen Society yesterday, Abdulqader argued that evidence against shrimp trawling—used to support prohibitions introduced by Bahrain in 2018 and Kuwait four years later—failed to match up with reality. The fishing consultant presented decades-worth of figures from Bahraini and Saudi waters, challenging the often-cited claim that shrimp nets led to a 90 per cent drop in local fish stocks. Rather, his evidence suggested far smaller impacts, with only minor numbers of commercially valuable fish ending up as unintended catch. Shrimp fishing in the Gulf took off in 1959 with Kuwaiti vessels, and the Bahraini fleet joined the boom in 1967. Profits Catches surged, generating profits from markets in the United States and Japan, sparking factory openings along the coast. Yet unregulated fishing throughout the year gradually reduced yields, causing the collapse of industrial-scale shrimp fishing by the late 1970s. Nevertheless, trawling carried on through smaller local vessels, maintaining productivity over the following decades. Abdulqader cited recent field studies from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia showing minimal disruption to targeted fish species. Only one commercially valuable fish, the Imsalagh, accounted for less than one per cent of Bahrain's shrimp-related bycatch. Species In Saudi waters, three species— Imsalagh, Safi, and Shaari —made up around 20 per cent. Far from a catastrophic ecological impact, these numbers indicated a much more limited influence on marine life. Historical catch records backed up Abdulqader's claims. Rather than sustained declines in key species, catches of Badh, Safi, and Shaari fluctuated over the years, suggesting they were influenced primarily by direct fishing practices rather than accidental catches by shrimp trawlers. Harm Even crab catches, which rose after shrimp fishing became common, showed little sign of harm linked to shrimp nets. Abdulqader also pointed out unintended consequences of the shrimp ban. Fishermen have reported no noticeable recovery in fish stocks since restrictions came into force. Instead, illegal fishing has reportedly increased, driven partly by official shrimp seasons, which remain publicised despite gear restrictions. Benefits This contradiction fuels underground fishing and undermines the ban's intended environmental benefits. He recommended lifting the current restrictions to allow for a controlled and modern shrimp fishing industry under improved environmental guidelines. Alternatively, Abdulqader suggested that authorities abandon public shrimp-season announcements altogether and strengthen enforcement against unlawful trawling.
Biz Bahrain
09-07-2025
- Biz Bahrain
Education Minister approves scholarship plan for 2024–2025 high school graduates
Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, approved the scholarship and grant allocation plan for Bahraini high school graduates from public and private schools for the 2024–2025 academic year. The plan covers students who achieved a score of 90% or higher. Over 4,000 scholarships and grants have been designated, including 1,900 full scholarships for students scoring 95% and above, and 2,300 grants for students scoring between 90% and 94.9%. Eligible students can proceed with their scholarship application process once accepted by a university, provided they complete the process within two months of receiving admission. Dr. Juma said that this initiative reflects the continued support for education under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This year's plan includes 300 scholarships in nursing, 12 international scholarships in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 5 scholarships at Al Azhar University, in addition to hundreds of seats at universities across Bahrain and the region. Students enrolled in home-schooling, evening education, and literacy and adult education programmes are also eligible for the scholarships and grants. Applications may be submitted via the Ministry's website at or directly at starting Tuesday, July 8, 2025, until the end of Monday, July 14, 2025. The ministry has introduced improvements to the application process this year, removing the need for SMS passwords and enabling direct access through the listed links. BNA(R)
Trade Arabia
29-03-2025
- Trade Arabia
Bahrain to join GCC for Eid Al Fitr celebrations
Bahrain will be joining its neighbouring GCC countries to celebrate Eid Al Fitr tomorrow (March 30) after Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court confirmed the sighting of the Shawwal crescent in the kingdom, said media reports. Eid Al Fitr will be observed across Saudi Arabia with special prayers on Sunday morning, followed by festive celebrations with family and community. The decision came after the crescent moon of Shawwal was sighted in several locations across the Kingdom, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the leaders exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. They wished continued prosperity and blessings for their countries and peoples, and for the Arab and Islamic nations, reported BNA. On Thursday, His Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had issued a circular regarding the Eid holidays, designating a three-day holiday for the Kingdom. Bahrain's circular specifies that ministries and public institutions throughout the Kingdom will close on Eid al-Fitr and for the two days that follow.
