Work Permits and Weather Disrupt Mullet Fishing in Kuwait
- Mullet fishing season began in July but the catch is low.
- PAAF cites small size of fish and delayed permits as issues.
- Weather conditions have impeded fishing operations in Kuwait.
- Fishermen expect a better catch in about two weeks.
- The shrimp season will start on August 1 with foreign crews arriving.
Fishing Season Disrupted by Permit Issues and Weather
Kuwait’s Mullet Fishing Season Faces Challenges as Permits Lag, Weather Impacts Yield Despite the official start of the mullet fishing season in July, both fishermen and consumers are expressing disappointment due to an unexpected scarcity of the fish. High expectations have been dashed as mullet have notably been missing from both fishing nets and local market stalls, leading to concerns about an overall failure of the catch. A recent statement from the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources (PAAF) highlights the multifaceted reasons behind this unsatisfactory turn of events, with delays in work permit processing for fishermen and adverse weather conditions being primary culprits.
Future of Fishing Holds Mixed Outlook for Fishermen
PAAF Source Expects Improvement in Two Weeks as Season Evolves The PAAF source emphasizes that the mullet catch will likely see improvement in the coming weeks. The expectation is that these fish will mature and leave Kuwait Bay, allowing for their migration to designated fishing areas. Concurrently, the forecast aligns with the shrimp fishing season’s kick-off on August 1, which is anticipated to enhance fishing activity as foreign crews arrive. This kind of optimism is reportedly shared among local fishermen, although doubts remain about how that transition might play out given current conditions. However, the challenges identified thus far—ranging from permit delays to environmental limitations—cannot be overlooked.
Union Leaders Discuss Concerns About Fishing
Fishermen’s Union Raises Alarm on Current State of Fishing Operations Abdullah Al-Sarheed, the Head of the Fishermen’s Union, supports the view that the mullet fishing season faces uncertainties ahead. He highlights that the surviving mullet remain concentrated in Kuwait Bay, not venturing into the zones designated for fishing by the authorities. Compounding these issues are recent incidents of high winds and poor weather, which have further stalled fishing efforts. Al-Sarheed explains that at the moment, only 33 boats are making daily attempts to fish in the area, emphasizing that ongoing bad weather and the sluggish pace of work permit issuance for foreign crews have created significant barriers to successful fishing operations.
In summary, the Kuwait mullet fishing season, which began in July, is currently facing significant challenges due to delays in issuing work permits and unfriendly weather conditions. As fishermen face difficulties, optimism remains that conditions may improve in a couple of weeks, allowing the fish to migrate to better fishing zones. However, the head of the Fishermen’s Union remains cautious, urging stakeholders to prepare for continued unpredictability this season. The collective pressure mounts as both fishermen and consumers hope for a turnaround in the fishing conditions shortly.
