Six-month ban on shrimping expires today in Bahrain

Authorities had lifted a six-month ban on shrimping, which began on February 1 to help replenish stocks. The news also brings much-needed relief to fisher- men who were reeling under the hardships brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Agriculture and Marine Resources Agency of the Minis- try of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning yesterday in a statement confirmed the lifting of the ban, starting today.

The annual shrimping, ear- lier four-months, was extend- ed to six-months based on the finding that shrimps need at least six months to reach ma- turity and reproduce.

The move in line with the decision of the Minister of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning Esam Khalaf is as per Resolution No. (18) for the year 2020. The government announced the six-month mor- atorium on shrimping, locally called “Rubyan” at the start of February this year.