Bahrain bans fishing by non-nationals

Non-Bahrainis are no longer allowed to practise commercial fishing, His Majesty the King, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, decreed yesterday.

"It is not permitted for non-Bahrainis to practise commercial fishing," said the royal decree carried yesterday by the official news agency, BNA.

The decree also said that commercial fishing was not allowed without a proper licence from the authorities concerned that should indicate a specific period, the ship, the crew, the fishing location, the season and the types and quantity of fish.

The decree comes amid several governmental initiatives to protect the increasingly fragile sea resources.