Dwindling fish stocks in the seas around Bahrain are forcing fishermen to trespass into other country’s territorial waters, an industry expert has warned.

Professional Fishermen’s Society president Jassim Al Jeran’s comments follow an incident earlier this month when the seven-man crew of a fishing vessel owned by a Bahrain-based company was apprehended by the Qatari coastguard, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The fishermen, originally from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, had set out from Muharraq on July 3, according to a report in the Times of India, but were arrested two days later.

They had allegedly trespassed in Qatar’s territorial waters and Al Jeran told the GDN that it was far from the first incident of its kind.

“Sometimes fishermen think that coastguards won’t notice that they have crossed into another country’s territorial waters if they stay relatively close to the limits,” he said.

“This is because they want more fish, especially when their catches are poor because there are very few fish in Bahrain’s waters.

“Some also sail into the Gulf between Iran, the UAE and Qatar, which are international waters, and then they are arrested on their way back to Bahrain because the route back includes sailing through Qatar’s waters.”

Numerous reports of fishermen being held in Qatar have appeared in the GDN over recent years, such as in August 2013 when the neighbouring country’s Interior Ministry issued a warning to Bahraini fishermen claiming as many as 18 offenders were being arrested every week, and in July 2011 when 32 Indian fishermen were rounded up, five of whom were Bahrain-based.

However, Al Jeran said the number of incidents was declining due to the increased use of satellite navigation and modern technology.

“All boats are now equipped with a GPS device and a radar to guide them while fishing within the country’s limits.

“Every captain knows how to use them, in fact anyone can use these devices because they are so simple and easy to use.”

The society head cautioned that strong winds could still make accidental trespass possible, but explained that Qatari authorities would determine whether the fishermen intended to trespass or not.

“At some times of the year the wind is very strong and it can forcefully carry a boat without a fishermen’s intent,” he said.

“What I mean to say is that it could happen without them noticing and this can be decided by checking whether they caught any fish from the Qatari waters or not.

“They could be released or given a lenient punishment if authorities did not find any fish, but the more fish confiscated from the boat, the tougher punishment they will get.”

The Times of India report stated that the seven fishermen apprehended in the latest incident were facing charges of trespassing into Qatar’s territorial waters and would have their second hearing on August 3.

“The fishermen claimed that they were in the territorial waters of Bahrain when the Qatari coastguard apprehended them,” said the report.

“The fishermen were produced in a Qatari court and lodged in a prison.

“Five of the fishermen hail from Enayamputhanthurai while the rest are from Mulloorthurai.

“The arrested fishermen contacted their relatives over the phone to inform them about their situation.

“Fishermen sources in Bahrain said a total fine of 495,000 Indian rupees (around BD3,000/$7,899) has been imposed on the boat owner, who is also the sponsor of the fishermen.

The boat owner has been summoned by the court. The fishermen will be released after the sponsor pays the fine, according to the sources.

The Indian Embassy in Bahrain said it was not aware of the issue when contacted by the GDN.

On Wednesday (July 15) last week, Bahrain lifted its annual seasonal ban on shrimping, designed to preserve shrimp stocks.

The four-month ban was due to be extended to six months this year, but the move has now been postponed until 2016 – when shrimping will be banned from March 15 until September 15. - TradeArabia News Service