- Mullet fishing season began in July but has disappointed fishermen.
- Factors impacting mullet fishing include small fish size and permit delays.
- Adverse weather has significantly affected fishing conditions this season.
Disappointing Start to Mullet Fishing Season
Fishing in Kuwait has hit some bumps this season as the mullet fishing officially kicked off in July, but disappointment reigns among both fishermen and buyers. The much-anticipated catch of mullet fish has been alarmingly absent from nets and the local market stalls. This year’s season has shaped up to be less fruitful than expected, which has raised red flags for the fishing community.
Key Factors Influencing the Current Fishing Conditions
According to a spokesperson from the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources (PAAF), a few factors are contributing to this current situation. Primarily, the mullet fish remain within Kuwait Bay and haven’t migrated out to the fishing zones because they’re still quite small. Additionally, there are fewer fishermen working than usual, partly due to delays in obtaining necessary work permits, which has really restricted fishing efforts. And let’s not ignore those pesky weather conditions that have been less than favorable lately, further stalling fishing operations.
Hopes for Improvement Amid Challenges
A hopeful note has been struck by the PAAF source, who mentioned that the situation could change in about two weeks. By then, they expect the mullet fish to be larger and ready to leave the restricted areas. Coincidentally, this timeframe also aligns with the approaching shrimp fishing season slated to kick off on August 1st, when there’s an influx of foreign fishermen arriving and, hopefully, better weather conditions too. Abdullah Al-Sarheed, the Head of the Fishermen’s Union, expressed similar concerns, admitting that things look iffy right now with the fish still lacking in strategic fishing areas approved by authorities. He highlighted that the rough weather conditions have really hindered their operations, stating they are still seeing only a limited number of boats being able to fish daily due to these issues.
In conclusion, the start of the mullet fishing season in Kuwait is marked by disappointment due to several compounding factors like underdeveloped fish, work permit delays, and adverse weather conditions. Looking ahead, authorities believe a shift could happen in coming weeks as conditions improve. The fishing community remains hopeful, with the shrimp season also bringing potential changes to the current dynamics of the local fishing scene.
