Status of Kuwait's fishery resources: Assessment and perspective

• Published in: Marine policy 2013-03, Vol.38, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Al-Zaidan, Amani S.Y., Al-Mohanna, Salim Y., George, Preeta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessments; Consumers; Consumption; Exploitation; Fish; Fisheries; Fishery management; Food security; Kuwait; Management; Marine; Marine environment; Marine resources; Raw materials; Strategy; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2012.05.013

For the first time, the production of fisheries in Kuwait was assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively by comparing the production of the late 1980s and the mid-2000s using official data. The results indicate that total fisheries production has declined over time, with local production (artisanal and industrial) having decreased by approximately 25%, while imports increased by 25%, representing 62% of the total fisheries production over time. Current consumer preferences have led to increased demand of fish species formerly having inferior commercial importance. The verified per capita fish consumption in 2010 was 22.32kgyr−1 suggesting the existence of an unrecorded supplementary supply of fish. Predictions show a dramatic decrease in fishery production by 2025, with a low supply of only 0.5kg per individual per annum. The results have practical implications for legislators’ management strategies for the sustainability of local fishery stocks. ► Fisheries production in Kuwait was analyzed using data from official sources. ► Type (category) of local fishery landed has dramatically changed over time. ► Estimated per capita fish supply exhibits a steep decreasing trend. ► Verified per capita fish consumption suggests unrecorded supplementary fish supply. ► Projection shows a collapse in local fisheries production by 2025.