KUWAIT CITY, July 31: The Kuwait Fishermen Union announced that the shrimp fishing season will commence on August 1 in the economic waters. In a press statement, the union explained that the Kuwaiti fishing fleet is fully prepared to set sail. 297 boats have obtained permits to fish for shrimp in Kuwait’s exclusive economic waters. The union affirmed that the shrimp season is an eagerly awaited annual event for everyone involved in fishing. The union expressed its hope that this season will be abundant, revitalizing the fish market and helping lower prices to make seafood more affordable for consumers.

The Kuwait Fishermen Union has reiterated its call to the Support Committee of the Ministry of Finance to address the fishing sector’s requirements for subsidized diesel fuel, and to work on restoring the diesel allocation to previous levels to prevent a significant reduction in the shrimp market supply. The union revealed that there is currently a severe shortage of subsidized diesel, leading fishing vessels to halt operations around the middle of each month when their share runs out. It emphasized the need to revitalize and support the fishing sector to enable it to fulfill its role in enhancing food security through the development of fish and shrimp resources. The union also stressed the need for officials to pay attention to the legitimate demands of fishermen.

The union warned, “If the diesel crisis persists this season, it could lead to the migration of fishing workers, rendering their efforts in fishing operations futile. This could potentially threaten the existence of the profession as fishermen are compelled to leave due to numerous challenges, high operational costs, and globally inflated equipment prices. The fishing sector, which is crucial for food security, has not received adequate financial support. Support for fish has remained minimal and stagnant for decades, failing to keep pace with rising prices and the operational costs of fishing vessels. Many fishermen are still indebted to the Industrial Bank of Kuwait, brokerage offices, credit facilities companies, and other banks due to borrowing and the high prices of ship maintenance and fishing equipment. The union is constantly working to achieve the demands of all fishermen by addressing the authorities concerned with the fishing sector to overcome challenges and difficulties so that the returns are positive and serve the interests of food security in the desired manner.”

The union expressed appreciation and gratitude to the officials of the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources because they are trying to convey the union’s demands to the concerned authorities and have submitted multiple studies to increase fish support, but unfortunately, they were not accepted by the Support Committee. The union also expressed hope that there will be a breakthrough that will please the fishermen who need support and assistance to advance their sector and solve all the challenges surrounding them, stressing that these are not impossible demands and will serve the sector in a way that will positively impact the food security system of Kuwait. Regarding the absence of local “Mead” fish in the markets despite the opening of its fishing season from the beginning of July, the union said Mead fish survive in shallow waters, and the specific coordinates for fishing it in the sea are rare, but it is available in Kuwait Bay. The union stated, “We have addressed the concerned authorities to allow us to fish for Mead in Kuwait Bay in line with the relevant controls and conditions. Unfortunately, this request has not been approved yet, which has deprived consumers of buying and eating it.”

The union stressed that it is ready to discuss this important matter with the concerned authorities and participate in everything that would facilitate this request according to the regulatory controls set by the authorities concerned with the fishing sector. It said, “The fishermen’s suffering continues and they feel that their deserved demands are being crushed at the doors of some officials. They need a real miracle to change this situation for the better. We hope that the fishermen’s ambitions will be fulfilled soon.”

By Abdul Nasser Al-Aslami
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff