Situation at fish market looks scary; rates to rise – ‘Kuwaitis only’ order fails

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: The situation at the fish market looks scary amid expectations that the basket of fish which is now sold for 88 dinars may soon reach 100 dinars because of shortage of fish supply and contradictory attitudes of the Kuwait Fishermen’s Union and Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fisheries Resources (PAAAFR), reports Al-Rai daily.

In the midst of all this the consumer lives in a state of anticipation and confusion, and begins to see prices beyond the normal limit. In response to the request by the Kuwait Fishermen Union to allow fishing in the Kuwait Bay, which is the natural incubator of the fish, an official source at the PAAAFR replied saying the demands of the Union stand rejected and added, the laws introduced by the PAAAFR have contributed to the increase of fish stocks during the past five years.

The local fish auction at Souk Sharq also witnessed a very high price increase. The prices of the shrimp basket ranged between 50 and 65 dinars, while the price of the mullet (maid) fish ranged between 80 and 85 dinars for a basket and the Kuwaiti Zubeidi was sold for between 90 and 110 dinars per basket, according to Al-Qabas daily.

The auction was dominated by market brokers and office owners, controlling the purchase mechanism, purchasing large quantities. On the other hand, the Ministry of Commerce yesterday failed to implement its circular according to which the taking part in the auction was limited to Kuwaitis and those authorized provided they carry the ID. The Ministry of Commerce was unable to regulate the sale process as announced in its circular.

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