Al-Muhannadi and al-Merri announcing the new initiative yesterday flanked by Qatar Chamber board member Mohamed al-Obaidy and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s public relations and communication department director Tariq al-Sada.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce launched yesterday an initiative to establish a co-operative society for Qatari fishermen.

The new society would mainly aim at protecting the rights of both consumers and fishermen and maintain a balanced use of the fish resources in the country.

The ministry’s technical committee for encouraging the private sector to invest in food security projects, which made the announcement, stressed that it was a very important initiative as it would serve a key food producing sector.

“The Fishermen Co-operative Society would be an economic entity through which private sector projects would be developed and it would enhance its partnership with the government sector to develop the fisheries sector. Also, it would help in pumping a considerable amount of national investments in food security domain,” pointed out Mohamed bin Saeed al-Muhannadi, director of Fish Resources Department at the Ministry of Environment.

He further affirmed that the Ministry of Environment would exert every effort to support the new society due to its belief in its importance in developing and providing the necessary services for fishermen and investors in the fishing sector.

Director of Business Development Department and secretary of the technical committee Nasser bin Jarallah al-Marri pointed out that fishermen willing to join the new society could submit their applications starting from Sunday until July 7. All requirements, necessary documentations and related information could be obtained at http://fishers.mec.gov.qa.

The conditions for registration include: being a Qatari national of not less than 18 years old, should enjoy a good reputation and own a fishing ship or boat, and also should have a fishing licence from the competent authority. Further, no member would be allowed to own more than 10% of the total capital of the society.

Al-Marri stressed the technical support committee would support applicants in every possible way to process their applications according to the stipulation of the law. Further, the Ministry of Economy would invite the founding members for a meeting on July 6 to sign the foundation regulations and contact, besides the other necessary formalities.

The services and advantages of new society include providing fishermen and professionals with adequate training programmes; co-operation with scientific and research centres to develop fish wealth in the country; providing the needs of its members from equipment, spare parts and other necessities of production to reduce the involved cost; and the creation of support industry projects among other services.

Al-Muhannadi pointed out that currently there are 450 licensed and active fishing vessels. Besides, there are around 700 other fishing boats with valid licences.

He said the amount of allowed capital for the society would be open and the price of the share would be QR10.

A number of Qatari fishermen have welcomed the initiative with high expectations that it would reflect positively on the industry as one of the deeply rooted professions in the country.

“This initiative has been long awaited by the Qatari fishermen community and we hope that it would provide us with adequate support, in particular in acquiring equipment,” said Saleh Khalid al-Mannai, a Qatari fisherman.

Another Qatari fisherman demanded that the government should support the society with aid to the tune of QR30mn as promised earlier. This would, according to him, would help the emerging society to be established and become really active in implementing its targets without laying further burden on fishermen.

Earlier, the Central Municipal Council (CMC) had issued a number of detailed recommendations based on the popular demands of local fishermen to establish such a society and offer fishermen more support, in particular at the equipment and marketing fields.

 

Retail fish prices shoot up

Strong winds lashing the Qatar coast currently have hit fishing heavily, Gulf Times has learnt.

There has been a huge fall in the catch and the supplies to the country’s main market and other retail outlets have been affected badly, sources said adding that the situation is expected to continue for a few more days.

One of the main suppliers at the Central Market said yesterday that retail prices of the favourite Hamour variety were between QR70 and QR75 a kilo while King Fish was traded at between QR38 and QR40. “Similarly most varieties of fish have become dearer in the last few days,” he said.

Cheaper fish such as sardine is sold at QR4-QR6 a kilo as its availability has also fallen drastically.

The fall in the local supply has also hit the exports to Saudi Arabia, where there is heavy demand for such varieties as King Fish and Hamour, inquiries found.

A senior fisherman in the Indian community said owing to sizzling climatic conditions most fishermen were avoiding going to sea in the day time. “Fish prices will come down with a fall in temperatures as more fishing boats will be deployed,” he said.