‘179 violations’ against marine safety norm reported last year

As many as 179 marine safety violations were reported last year, according to the Kingdom’s Coast Guard. This came as Coast Guard Commander, Major-General Alaa Siyadi, called upon all seafarers to follow the rules and the laws to protect marine safety. He said that violations that are committed at night and with the current situations could jeopardise the safety of violators who would be held legally accountable. Mr Siyadi urged seafarers to follow the instructions of marine patrols and security and safety rules.  He urged them to avoid sailing in banned areas at night or commit violations that could harm the fish stocks and marine wealth.

The official revealed that during 2019, a total of 179 violations were reported and legal steps were taken against them.  Dive Bahrain a few days ago announced that illegal shrimp-trawling vessels entered the protected boundaries of the dive site causing major damage to the underwater attraction. The authorities are working to identify the vessels in question, which were in breach of Ministerial Order (205) for 2018, banning fishing using trawling nets, and the notice to mariners issued by the Ports and Maritime Affairs Authority, which mandates a two nautical mile exclusion zone around the submerged attractions. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed Al Zayani said “While the dive site sustained damage, work continues to build the largest underwater park which will continue to provide a thrilling diving experience for those who visit and, more importantly, a viable habitat for local marine species.”

He announced that an investigation is underway using detailed radar and tracking data to identify the vessels. An investigation by a team of specialised marine investigators identified clear evidence, both on the fuselage of the submerged aircraft and the seabed, that points to a collision between the fuselage and “heavy trawling nets”. Commenting on this issue, Dr Mohamed Bin Daina, Chief Executive of the Supreme Council of the Environment remarked that ‘’this incident serves as further evidence of the profoundly negative effect fishing with trawling nets has on the seabed ecosystems, reefs and on the marine environment overall”. A Dive Bahrain spokesman confirmed that work is already underway to fix the damage caused.