New initiative launched to boost Bahrain's tourism and pearling industry
A NEW initiative launched recently is expected to reinvigorate the pearling industry and boost tourism, according to an official.
The decision to invite applications for new, or to renew, pearling licences was aimed at reviving a part of Bahrain’s traditional heritage, said Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry acting fisheries director Bassam Al Shuwaikh.
He was speaking as nearly 100 pearling licence applicants attended a workshop organised by the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) at the Professional Fishermen’s Society in Muharraq yesterday.
As of yesterday, 822 applications for pearl diving licences had been received from individuals and pearl diving centres.
The workshop featured a briefing on the rules and regulations governing diving with a boat and without a boat besides a lecture by SCE environment specialist Ali Al Mansour on the different types of oysters, their impact on the ecosystem and the probability of finding a good sized pearl.
“This decision (to issue new, or renew, pearling licences) aims to revive this part of Bahrain’s heritage,” Mr Al Shuwaikh told GDN on the sidelines of the event.
“Pearling has been an important part of Bahrain’s economy, in addition to fishing and farming. So, when we talk about pearling in Bahrain we’re talking about history, heritage and economy.
“It’s something ingrained in people’s minds in the kingdom.
“Some of these people here might be divers while some might have other jobs but the ocean is in their blood.
“You can see their passion for diving, which is something that’s not easy but it is really great to see.”
The ministry was also looking into possibilities of organising pearling trips aimed at boosting tourism and helping raise Bahrain’s position in the world as a provider of quality pearls.
“Bahraini pearls are some of the best in the world, but this fact is not being reflected in Bahrain’s tourism drive.
“We hope our efforts will help bring in tourists and at the same time revive Bahrain’s heritage.”
The government had stopped issuing new pearling licences to prevent Bahrain’s oyster beds from being plundered.
However, the licences were once again made available a week after the government announced new regulations to protect Bahrain’s Northern Marine Reserves (Hayrrat), including coral reefs and oyster beds.
Bahrain has also designated a barrier belt off the coast of Muharraq, known for its oyster beds, as protected marine reserve.
Applications are still being received and no upper limit has been set though it was not clear how many licences will eventually be issued.
Around 90 per cent of the applications were for new licences, while the rest were for renewals.
Only Bahrainis can apply for individual permits, while diving centres operated by expats are also eligible.
Previously, licenses were only issued to divers who owned boats. However, the new licences will allow people who don’t have boats to dive if it is not too far out at sea.
There are special rules for those who have boats, such as having at least one person on the boat when someone dives, that the boat not be involved in fishing of any other kind and that everybody on the boat has a licence to dive.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/249721/Big-tourism-push
