• General Directorate for the Protection of Marine Resources Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wild Life Kingdom of Bahrain

• Introduction to fish biometry plan in I.R.IRAN, Fisheries Statistical Data collection system and Data processing method in Iran

• Country report on fisheries, state of Kuwait

Kuwait is situated in the northwestern corner of the Gulf, which separates the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Arabian Peninsula, and has a small coastline on the Gulf. The sea area and coastline of Kuwait are characterized by extreme meteorological and hydrological conditions, with water temperatures reaching over 33ºC during summer months (air temperatures of over 50ºC), high evaporation rates and high salinities. Kuwait’s marine water covers approximately 2,540 square nautical miles (8,700 km2). Nevertheless, fishing ground is limited to about half of this area because commercial fishing is forbidden in Kuwait Bay and within the three mile zone of the coast. Kuwait fisheries comprise of multi species and multi gear fishery that targets various pelagic and demersal fish species. Kuwait’s fishing fleet consist of two distinct sectors: the industrial shrimp fishery and the artisanal fishery that operates trawl nets, fish straps (locally known as ‘gargoor’) and gillnets to catch demersal and pelagic fish species. In 2007, fisheries were operated with 881 licensed fishing boats; 28 trawling vessels, 128 wooden boat and 725 speed boats. Their production was accounted for 4373 tonnes which constitutes 2833 tonnes of finfish catch, 1540 tonnes of shrimp. Fishing operations are allowed throughout Kuwait waters year-around except during the closed seasons for shrimp and Zobaidy (Pampus argenteus).

• Country Report – Iraq

The status of fisheries resources in Iraq now day suffer from decline in stock density of
commercial fish species in coastal area of Iraqi marine water due to negative impact of
decline in discharge of shatt Al-Arab river which flow in this region beside this the territorial Iraqi marine water is very limited due to affect of political situation, so the fishing area is very narrow which reflect on fish catch rate there

• Country report – Oman
Oman has a coastline extending 3,165 kms from the Musandam Peninsula in the north to
the border with the Yemen in the south. For centuries there have been small and often isolated fishing communities along the length of this coastline. Over the last 35 years much has been done to expand and modernise this traditional industry. Dried fish used to
be carried on camels to the interior of the country but now with the development of roads
and the introduction of ice factories, fresh fish can be found in nearly every town in
Oman and is even exported to Saudi Arabia from remote fishing villages.
More than 150 species of fish and crustaceans have been identified in Omani waters,
ranging from sardines to tuna. A wide variety of fish are eaten locally - kingfish and
hamour (grouper) being very popular, while shoals of tiny sardines are netted for use as
fertiliser and animal fodder. Sharks' fins are exported and lobsters, which used to be
avoided by fishermen are now caught for the lucrative hotel and restaurant trade. The
quantity of the total catch landed rose rapidly during the 1980s, reaching a peak in 1988
when there was then a decline. Research carried out by the Marine Science and Fisheries
Centre, set up in 1986 at Sidab with the help of FAO and UNESCO, has indicated that
over-fishing has played a part in this decline. It is also suspected that marine pollution has
been partly responsible.

• Country report on current status of fisheries – Qatar