Bahrain's first fish market within a jetty is set to open before end of the year, said a senior official.

The Hidd Jetty is aimed at fishermen in the area as well as those from neighbouring Muharraq, added Municipal Councillor Ali Al Muqla.

"It will be a great help for fishermen, who will sell their catch immediately after completing their daily journey," he said. "It will also make it easier and convenient for residents to buy their fish fresh, as soon as it leaves the boats."

The jetty will feature resting areas for fishermen as well as drinking water and refrigerators to keep the catches fresh.

The project has been long awaited by fishermen, who were desperately looking for a place to tie up their vessels instead of at the Muharraq jetty.

"Fishermen have been waiting for more than six years for this jetty," said Al Muqla. "They were promised this project since then but nothing happened."

Fishermen from Hidd were earlier told plans to build a jetty in 2003 were scrapped because it was too close to Bahrain International Airport runways.

They have been waiting for a new location since, but were later told the jetty would be constructed just metres from a site originally earmarked for the project.

The news was broken by then Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi during a previous visit to the Muharraq Municipal Council.

The new site was no more than 30 metres from the original location. – TradeArabia News Service