Not a lucky jackpot - but the new fine for wrecking Bahrain’s marine life!

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Dumping waste into Bahrain’s waters, netting rare fish, and using banned traps could land offenders in jail for a year and facing fines as high as BD100,000.

The Shura Council will vote on a plan to toughen penalties for illegal fishing and other breaches of marine laws next Sunday.

The amendment to Article (33) of Decree-Law No. (20) of 2002 aims to put sharper teeth into the law, with heavier fines and longer sentences for those caught damaging Bahrain’s seas.

The law as it stands sets fines as low as BD500 and jail terms starting from a month for rule-breakers.

The changes, already backed by the lower house, would stretch prison sentences to a minimum of six months for some offences, while serious breaches — such as large-scale poaching or pollution — would carry at least a year behind bars.

Steepest fines

The steepest fines would climb from B D3,000 t o BD100,000.

Government bodies have lined up behind the proposal. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has said stiffer penalties will help stop overfishing and protect Bahrain’s marine wealth.

Weak enforcement

The Supreme Council for Environment has also supported the plan, warning that weak enforcement has let large-scale breaches slide, from coral reef damage to illegal sand dredging.

Shura’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee has reviewed the draft law alongside government advice and legal views.

It found that the current law lacks bite, with punishments that are too low to stop repeat offences.

Slap on wrist

Some rules already have tough penalties, but others allow major breaches to go ahead with only a slap on the wrist.

The changes would put marine rules on firmer footing, making sure that fishing, waste dumping, and habitat destruction are punished in line with their impact.

Under the amendment, those caught with banned fishing gear, poaching in restricted areas, or ignoring temporary bans would face at least six months in prison and much steeper fines than before.

Harshest penalties

The harshest penalties would hit those behind large-scale breaches, such as industrial waste dumping or fishing methods that wipe out entire habitats.

Parliament approved the changes on the last day of 2024, after taking in advice from government bodies and legal experts.

The Shura Council will now go through the draft, with members expected to look closely at the steeper fines and longer jail terms before the final vote.