Gulf | Qatar
Heatwave causing Qatari fishermen to stay at home
A representative of a fishermen's group in Ruweis told Qatari daily Gulf Times that it was the first time in recent years that intense heat has forced 'solo' boat operators in large numbers not to go to work.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau chief
- Published: 17:40 June 22, 2010
- Image Credit: Gulf News
Manama: The sweltering heat gripping Qatar has forced several fishermen, especially ‘solo' boat operators, to stay indoors.
A representative of a fishermen's group in Ruweis told Qatari daily Gulf Times that it was the first time in recent years that intense heat has forced 'solo' boat operators in large numbers not to go to work.
"This time the hot spell seems to last longer than in the previous years," said a fisherman.
Usually, such severe heat conditions set in by mid July and last until the end of August. "However, our problems seem to have started at least one month earlier than usual," Francis Selvaraj, a member of a Ruweis-based fishermen's group, said, quoted by the newspaper.
Out of the nearly 120 'solo' boats, less than 20 have put out to sea in recent days and the lack of work has caused several foreign fishermen to travel home.
A senior member of the fishermen's community in Al Khor said several fishermen have not worked since Wednesday.
"The temperature has been steadily rising since last week and the last five days have been really miserable for most fishermen," he said.
A major fall in fish supply is increasingly becoming inevitable.
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