Fishermen called a strike to protest the recent decision by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) to ban expatriates from the fish auction. The newly updated regulations by the MoCI is reportedly aimed at, among other things, tackling the rising cost of fish in auctions at the fish market.
The new regulations forbid non-Kuwaitis and those without licenses from entering the auction area until the bidding process is over. However, the move by MoCI, has so far not been able to realize any significant reduction in prices of fish. At a recent fish auction at the fish market located next to Souq Sharq a basket of shrimp was marked between KD50 and KD65; price for mullet basket was KD80 to KD85 and the Kuwaiti Zubaidi fetched KD90 to KD110 for a basket.
Majority of the purchases were done by market brokers and office owners who acquired large quantities for resale.
