Fishermen for the East: Overfishing threatens fish wealth

Recently, Qatari media visited the Al-Khor fish market to observe the auction processes and prices and to learn about the issues and problems of the fishermen. The media discovered that the auctioneer acts as a mediator between the fishermen and shop owners inside the market who, in turn, resell the fish to consumers by the kilo. The auction process requires the presence of a doctor who supervises the fish before it is lowered to the auction square, ensuring that it is intact and conforming to sale specifications. If any fish is deemed spoiled, it is removed immediately, and fresh fish is presented instead.

The auction runs from 5 in the morning until all quantities of fish are displayed for bidding. The prices vary depending on the type of fish, the thickness of the net, and the weight. The most expensive fish is the spinning net, which costs about 800 riyals for a refrigerator weighing around 8 kilograms. The second type, Gargoor, costs about 200 riyals, depending on weight. Kingfish is the most expensive, with prices starting from 75 riyals per kilo.

The auction and shop owners called for the auction square to be covered with umbrellas and provided with cooling devices, especially during summer when high temperatures make it difficult to exist and stay for long periods in the current open square. Abdullah Mohsen al-Maliki, the owner of the fish auction “Dalal” in Al-Khor market, said that examining the fish precedes the auction. The state’s laws eliminated indiscriminate fishing to preserve fish and ensure their reproduction during breeding seasons. The Fisheries Department granted fishermen a period of 12 days of each month to catch kingfish from March to May, after which fishing is prohibited during June and July until August.

Al-Maliki called for the elimination of the process of enlightenment in the sea, where some fishermen throw colored lights into the sea to attract fish, and then catch them in large quantities and of different sizes, including small ones that are not suitable for fishing. This is considered poaching, and the concerned authorities must intervene to prevent this harmful activity. Al-Maliki also emphasized the need for reviewing laws and expenses to support fishermen and increase their fiber and grain supplies, facilitate some procedures for bringing in workers, and prevent overfishing.

Hamad Al-Muhannadi called for the competent authorities to directly supervise the fishermen, as some catch small, useless fish, which is considered overfishing. He stressed the need to tighten control and increase penalties for fishermen who insist on catching all kinds of fish, regardless of their size. Unfortunately, inspectors from the concerned authorities are not present at all to supervise the fishermen and fishing operations in the port.

In today’s age of digital media, platforms such as Google News play a significant role in disseminating news and information to a wide audience. Those interested in learning more about the Al-Khor fish market in Qatar can easily find news articles and reports on Google News, providing access to a range of perspectives and insights on the topic. From updates on auction prices to discussions on fishing regulations and environmental concerns, Google News offers a convenient way to stay informed on developments related to the Al-Khor fish market and other news stories around the world.

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