Shrimp shock as scarcity stings seafood lovers

Daily Tribune

11 hours ago

Opening day brings high prices, small catches, and growing fears for the season ahead
• Local shrimp sold at BD 3/kg due to low supply and smaller sizes
• Boxes that once sold for BD 40 now fetch up to BD 110
• Unpredictable yields are casting a shadow over the 2025 shrimp season
'We didn't expect such a weak start this year to the shrimp season.'
These words by a fish vendor hung in the humid air of the Manama market, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
On what should have been a promising opening day, the baskets of Bahraini shrimp were underwhelming — in both size and quantity.
'The supply was so low that we were forced to sell even the smaller-sized shrimp at BD 3 per kilogram,' he said, his tone a mix of resignation and disbelief.
He wasn't alone. Across the market, sellers shook their heads as regulars asked the same question: Where are the shrimp?
According to the fisherman, the much-anticipated start of the local shrimp season has delivered an unexpected shock to seafood lovers in Bahrain.
'Neither is there abundance, nor is there affordability,' he added with a pale smile, doing little to disguise his disappointment.
From ban to boom — or not quite
Bahrain's shrimp-fishing ban is a six-month annual closure, from February 1 to July 31, designed to give marine stocks time to recover. The rules are strict, covering not just fishing but also trading and sales during the closed season.
Each year, the first week of August is met with excitement. Markets reopen to fresh local shrimp, and expectations are high.
But this year, that optimism was quickly drowned by scarcity.
A price that doesn't taste right
In 2024, market prices for local shrimp hovered between BD 2.20 and 2.50 per kilogram. But by the time stalls reopened in 2025, the same quantity was fetching BD 3 or more — and for shrimp much smaller in size.
Several shoppers at the market told The Daily Tribune that the current supply was the weakest they'd seen in years.
Boxes that would normally sell for BD 40 are now being priced at BD 110, one trader said. 'And even then, the shrimp are small, soft, and nothing like what people expect from Bahraini waters.'
'The big ones are buried under the small,' another vendor joked, poking at a crate with a tired grin.
Imported shrimp, buyers noted, is cheaper — but most agree that nothing beats the taste and texture of local catch. That's what makes this season's price hike even harder to swallow.
Shrinking boats, rising costs
Behind the shortage lies a deeper concern: a fishing community under pressure.
'Our fishermen are growing weaker every year,' a long-time seller observed, pointing to rising fuel costs, fewer young people joining the trade, and relentless economic headwinds.
Many traders had stocked up in anticipation of the season's reopening — preparing for crowds, confident in demand. What they didn't prepare for was this kind of supply.
'Everyone was shocked,' said one vendor. 'We waited six months for this. It's like the sea forgot us.'
Looking ahead
Retail shrimp prices in Bahrain have been steadily rising, driven by inflation, fishing restrictions, and dependence on imports.
While imported shrimp may cost less, Bahraini shrimp continues to command a premium — not just for its freshness, but for what it represents to local culture and cuisine.
But if supply continues to shrink and prices keep rising, many wonder: will next year be any different?
For now, fishermen and buyers alike are left with little more than small shrimp and big doubts.