Illegal fishermen attack TV crew

A television channel crew was attacked recently by some fishermen indulging in illegal fishing in the Wusta Governorate of the Sultanate. The crew from Oman TV were filming a group of expatriates trying to catch shrimp using prohibited drift nets when they chased the crew and tried to sink their boat. The Oman Journalists’ Association (OJA) has condemned the attack and demanded strict punishment against the perpetrators. In a statement, OJA said: “We strongly condemn the attack against the TV team by expatriates in the middle of the sea, and considers it an act of aggression on media people’s lives. The authorities should protect journalists and media representatives wherever they are and punish whoever tries to curb journalistic work.” The association also requested the authorities to ease journalists’ work and facilitate their meetings with persons in charge in any organisation. The incident coincides with the ongoing shrimp fishing season, which started a month ago in Oman and will continue until November. Despite warnings from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, many have been found indulging in illegal fishing. Article 15, item 6 of the Sea Fishing Law prohibits catching of shrimps using trawls or any other nets except for locally made ones called ‘Ghadf Gil’, which are circular nets. Those found violating rules will be fined not less than RO 300 and not more than RO 5,000. They will be jailed for not less than a month and not more than three months or face both penalties. Penalty will be doubled for repeat offences. The catch will be confiscated along with the tools used. The law, however, restricts fishing licences only to the Omanis. Those practising the profession should not be below 18 years, should be a good swimmer and be physically fit, says the law. Besides illegal fishing by expats, the use of many fishing tools has proved to be harmful for the marine environment. Trawls result in overfishing. They also trap baby shrimps, making it hard to sustain marine wealth. Ninety-eight per cent of shrimps are found in Mahoot, in Wusta and two per cent in Sharqiyah and parts of Dhofar governorates, says the Directorate of Fisheries, Wusta. The shrimp fishing season starts from the beginning of September and goes on until the end of November, according to the ministry’s decision No 106/2013. Zainab al Nassri