Authorities are stepping up measures to safeguard Bahrain's already dwindling fish and shrimp stocks.

The Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife will monitor shrimp supplies being brought into the mainland to prevent overfishing and preserve marine stocks.

It comes as the annual shrimping ban, which starts on March 15, will be lifted on Sunday.

"The four-month ban on shrimping will be lifted on July 15, but we at the commission are concerned about the depleting stock," said the commission's marine resources director-general Jassim Al Qaseer.

"If we look at Saudi Arabia and Kuwait the shrimping ban there is for six months, but in Bahrain it was initially three months and then it was increased to four."

Mr Al Qaseer was speaking at a Press conference yesterday at the commission's headquarters at Beit Al Tijjar, which was attended by officials from the fisheries sector.

He hoped the off-season would be extended to six months to allow stocks to properly replenish.

He said the multi-million dinar industry's supply was not being properly regenerated because shrimps need at least six months to reach maturity and reproduce.

However, the proposed plan has faced setbacks from fishermen, who fear their only source of income could be in jeopardy.

"There are several social and economic pressures we face from fishermen, who say their source of livelihood will be affected," he added.

Mr Al Qaseer stressed tougher punishments should be enforced on violators to tackle the growing problem as an increasing number of shrimp trawlers encroached coral reefs and rocky areas, affecting marine life.

He said it comes as Bahrain has been urged to better protect its marine life in a recent study about aquamarine resources in the GCC and Jordan, which was carried out by an international research group.

Regulations

"Unfortunately, the study highlighted that it's high time we stepped in to preserve our marine resources," he said.

"We need tougher regulations in order to deal with less marine stock."

Coastguard officials are expected to submit a report to the commission by the end of the month on the number of violations registered during the off-season.

Fishermen and traders caught violating the ban could face up to two years in jail and be fined up to BD300. Their boats and equipment could also be confiscated if a court finds them guilty.

"We have 300 registered trawlers and more than 500 fishing boats, but those arrested by the coastguard for violating the law are those that are not licensed," said Mr Al Qaseer.

"Close to 90 per cent of those caught at sea are unregistered or anonymous groups."

Another rampant violation includes boat owners using illegal fishing tools or redesigning their trawlers to dig deeper into the sea bed to catch more supplies.

"In addition to all these, we have land reclamation that is affecting the food chain as it affects marine resources," added Mr Al Qaseer.

"All these factors result in the shooting up of fish prices in the market, which keep fluctuating."

Mr Al Qaseer said the commission is also working on future projects to increase the country's marine stock through fish farms and artificial reefs.

"We release 200,000 small fish yearly in different areas to promote breeding and are working on artificial reef projects to boost the stock population," he added.