Qatar will restrict fishing in its territorial waters for two months beginning April since that is the fish breeding season.

The fisheries department, however, said fish production wouldn’t be affected by the above restriction since the catch will almost double in April and May.

These are good months for fishing so the restrictions wouldn’t affect production and fish prices, said the department at the Ministry of Environment.

Topping the list of fish that breed during this season are Sheri and Hamour, which together account for almost 40 percent of the total catch in Qatar.

Fishing boats will be allowed into the sea for fishing only three times a month during the breeding season and each trip wouldn’t be permitted to last more than four days.

This means that during the two months (April and May), a fishing boat would be able to spend only 24 days out in the sea for fishing. The fisheries department said that a boat’s catch — in other words the fishermen’s income — wouldn’t be adversely affected.

“There are lots of fish to be caught in this season, so a boat’s catch wouldn’t be affected,” a local Arabic daily quoted a source in the fisheries department as saying.

About how the rule will be implemented, the source said each fishing boat will be given a card and the Coast Guard and environment ministry inspectors will closely monitor the boats.

Besides, an awareness campaign about the fish breeding season and the need to cut down on commercial fishing expeditions will be carried out.

Ensuring restricted fishing in the breeding season is aimed at preserving the country’s marine wealth for sustainable development and future food security.

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QNE

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