The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), represented by the Fisheries Department, announced the start of the ban on fishing kingfish by using nets in Qatari waters, from Saturday to October 15, in order to preserve the fish stocks, in implementation of Ministerial Resolution No. (55) of 2015.

During this period, it is forbidden to transport and circulate kingfish fishing nets in fishing vessels. Only ships licensed by the Fisheries Department are allowed to fish only by using the line and no other tools.

The prohibition does not apply to those licensed for the purpose of scientific research. Researchers should obtain a fixed-term licence from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.

Banning fishing during this season is considered one of the most successful ways to preserve fish stocks and ensure the continuity of marine life, and it is also one of the proper ways for rational fisheries management, as preventing or reducing fishing is a positive step towards preserving and developing the stock.

Kingfish fishery in Qatar is considered one of the important activities, as it represents 13% of the total fish catch, and about 180 vessels in the country operate in kingfish fishing, which is 35% of the number of licensed vessels.

It was agreed between GCC countries to start implementing a programme to ban kingfish fishing by nets during from August 15 to October 15 of each year in all GCC countries, starting from 2015.

Qatar issued a ministerial decision on banning the fishing of kingfish during this period, in implementation of what was agreed upon and to preserve the stocks of these migratory fish.