The government of Bahrain is considering a new law that would allow fishermen to train family members aboard their boats, passing down generations of fishing knowledge and traditions. This move is seen as a way to preserve Bahrain’s fishing heritage and potentially reduce the reliance on expat workers in the industry. The proposed law, which is currently under review, would allow fishermen to bring up to three close relatives on board, officially recognizing them as ‘part-time sailors’.
The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of Representatives supports the proposal, viewing it as a way to create more job opportunities for local Bahrainis while upholding the country’s fishing traditions. However, the government has raised concerns about how this new law would align with existing regulations and whether these aims could be achieved through current rules. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has echoed these concerns, while the Supreme Council for the Environment fully supports the proposal.
The government is also working on new guidelines to officially recognize family members as part-time sailors and is aiming to update old wording in the law to align it with the country’s constitution. By allowing family members to join fishermen on their boats, the government hopes to keep fishing skills alive within Bahraini families and reduce the demand for expat labor in the industry. This move could potentially lead to less reliance on foreign workers and more opportunities for local Bahrainis in the fishing trade.
Overall, the proposed law to allow family members to train aboard fishing boats in Bahrain is seen as a way to preserve the country’s fishing heritage and pass down traditional skills to future generations. It is also viewed as a means to potentially reduce the need for expat workers in the industry and create more job opportunities for local Bahrainis. While the government is supportive of the general idea, there are concerns about how this new law would fit with existing regulations and whether these aims could be achieved through current rules. Ultimately, the government is working towards finding a balance that supports both the preservation of Bahrain’s fishing traditions and the sustainability of the fishing industry.
