Seaweeds, Tubli Bay fishermen’s new bait

On a drizzly day in East Eker, the southeaster shores of Tubli Bay, DT News met Bahraini sailor Abdulzahra Hassan (Buhassan) who informed that these plants, which are locally known as “Hasheesh” or “Khamag”, are found on the shores of bays such as Tubli and Arad Bays.
“They grow near the shores between the months of November and April. The fish, especially Safi which is the most desired locally, like this type of seaweed. We catch more fish during this season, thanks to these plants,” says Buhassan.
The sailor, who has been in the business for around two decades, explained that the seaweeds save them thousands of dinars that are usually spent on buying baits.

For six months, the sailors spend twelve hours a day collecting the plants. They wait for the low tide and then enter the sea, not crossing 300 metres distance inside the water.
DT News was informed more about this by a veteran Asian fisherman. Bangladeshi national Mohammed Abdulkhaliq told that he has been sailing in Bahraini waters for around 25 years and is now supervising a fleet of fishing boats.
While on the coast of  Jidali, the northwest side of Tubli Bay, Abdulkhaliq told DT News that collecting Khamag is a common practice among local fishermen during winter.

“We come to Tubli Bay almost every day to collect the seaweed in the six months of winter. First we collect them in bags and carry them in six-wheeler trucks to shore. Then we mix it with sea sand to increase the volume and weight of the plants. We use shovels and tilling tools usually used in agricultural activities,” Abdulkhaliq explained.
DT News witnessed the process. Piles of the plants are unloaded from the trucks on the shores. More piles of sand are placed on top of them. Similarly to tilling soil, shovels and hoes are used to mix the seaweed with the sand.
According to the fishermen, they manage to fill around 120 bags in a day. Each bag weighs 50 kilogrammes, leaving them with 6 tonnes of bait. Abdulkhaliq told that it’s sufficient for three days of fishing trips.

This improvised bait could only be used while fishing using the local “Gargoor” fishing method. The Gargoor is a domed wire fish trap that is made in different sized, with some as big as a big room. It’s dropped down to the seabed and is made in a special way that the fish could enter but not exit it. Gargoors are commonly used by fishermen in the Arabian Gulf region.
When asked if the “Khamag” could be stored to be used in summer, Abdulkhaliq said the bait couldn’t be sold or stored as it dries up and get rotten quick. He added that whatever they collect is usually used within 24 hours from the time it’s collected.