Bahraini fishermen required onboard for commercial fishing
Bahraini fishermen must now be present on fishing boats for commercial operations under new licensing rules, bringing a shift to how the industry operates.
The change was introduced through Resolution No. 4 of 2025, issued by Supreme Council for Environment President Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa and published in the latest Official Gazette.
The rules require that Bahraini fishermen be onboard vessels engaged in commercial fishing.
Licences will only be issued to Bahraini nationals who are at least 18 years old, deemed fit for the work, and have no prior convictions for serious crimes unless rehabilitated.
Applicants must also provide any additional details requested by the authorities.
Employers, or their legal representatives, must submit applications for new or renewed licences using the approved form.
Applications
The authorities are required to approve or reject applications within 15 days, following the terms of Decree-Law No. 20 of 2002 on the regulation and protection of marine resources. Licences must include details of both the fisherman and the employer.
A fisherman may only work for the employer listed on their permit, and the document is non-transferable.
It remains valid for one year and can be renewed under the same terms. Fishermen must present it to inspectors upon request.
The resolution also sets out crew requirements based on vessel size.
Smaller boats, ranging from 18 to 21 feet in length, may have up to three crew members in total, with a maximum of two being non-Bahraini and at least two Bahraini fishermen onboard.
The same limits apply to boats between 22 and 24 feet, though they must have at least three Bahraini fishermen instead of two.
Vessels
The rules remain unchanged for vessels measuring 25 to 27 feet, but from 28 feet upwards, the numbers increase.
Boats between 28 and 32 feet must have at least four Bahraini fishermen, with a total crew limit of five.
Those between 33 and 35 feet require five Bahraini fishermen, with a total of six crew members allowed.
Crew limit
Larger boats measuring 36 feet or more must have at least six Bahraini fishermen, with a total crew limit of seven.
For the largest category, the traditional Banoush vessels, the minimum requirement is eight Bahraini fishermen, with the total crew allowed reaching nine.
In all cases, the employer or captain must be present onboard, and non-Bahraini crew numbers are capped at two, except for Banoush vessels, which may have up to six.
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