Shrimp season boosts fish supply and lowers prices

The Secretary-General of the Kuwaiti Fishermen’s Union, Barak Al-Subaie, said the shrimp fishing season in Kuwait’s economic waters has been highly productive, significantly contributing to the availability of fresh seafood and helping to lower local fish prices.

In a press statement, Al-Subaie stressed the need to regulate and further develop the fishing sector, highlighting the grievances of tarrid boat owners who face restrictions in fish-rich areas. He called for reopening fishing zones for mead (midd) within Kuwait Bay, stressing that current bans are harming fishermen’s livelihoods.

Al-Subaie noted that last month the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources approved a long-standing demand by fishermen to increase the length of tarrid boats to 12 meters, making fishing easier and more productive. Tarrid boats, which represent nearly half of Kuwait’s fishing fleet, are versatile — using nets to catch surface-swimming fish and traps to catch bottom-dwelling species.

He explained that restricting fishing zones risks losing migratory fish, which eventually return to Kuwait as imports. “The issue of opening fishing in the lagoon must be reconsidered,” he said, noting that fish species in shallow waters migrate seasonally due to weather conditions, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to Al-Subaie, since the beginning of August, fishermen have brought in over 273 tons of shrimp and 300 tons of various fish from Kuwait’s economic and territorial waters, totaling 573 tons, which entered the City and Fahaheel markets.

He expressed appreciation to government agencies supporting the fishing sector and reaffirmed fishermen’s commitment to maintaining marine food security, protecting the marine environment, and contributing to sustainable development in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035.

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