The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) established a center in Doha port to monitor fish imports, an official from the authority said yesterday. The center aims to examine imported shipments of fish to ensure safety. The traders importing the fish must present health certificates and apply safety conditions in terms of packaging and transportation.

 

These controls and requirements are expected to contribute significantly to reducing illegal fish imports. Moreover, they will ensure quality and safety of fish and shrimps and protect the products from damage during transportation, which will contribute to offering fish in the local markets with suitable quantities, prices and high quality.

 

Several changes have taken place recently in the fishing industry in Kuwait.

 

In July the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the closure of the historic Shamlan Harbor in Kuwait City near Souq Sharq and Al Seif Palace. The harbor had been assessed and determined to be exposed to significant coastal and maritime pollution caused by the fishing boats.

 

The closure followed a series of inspections and considerable number and severity of violations reported at the harbor by EPA teams, and failure to maintain conditions that would preserve this site of historical value. The Fishermen's Union opposed the closure but the Kuwait Dive Team regularly lifted waste, fishing nets and other debris from the harbor. EPA has reported numerous violations by fishermen and boats' owners for not abiding by the environmental regulations at the harbor.

 

Fish prices in the local market have also hit record levels. In late July, Comptroller General of Kuwait's main Fish Market located in Souq Sharq warned of skyrocketing prices, noting both local and imported fish had rose dramatically. Greater controls on imported fish are expected to further exacerbate prices.