“Migrant fishermen targeted as Bahrain faces fish stock collapse”

As Bahrain contends with a drastic fall in its fish stocks, migrant fishermen are increasingly falling victim to wage theft. Bahraini authorities have intensified efforts to arrest and deport migrant fishermen for unauthorized fishing, rather than dealing with the crisis or holding sponsors accountable…

Bahrain’s fishing sector relies heavily on migrant workers, though only Bahraini nationals can hold fishing permits. Bahraini permit holders sponsor the migrant fishermen and provide them with vessels and fishing equipment…Irrespective of the working arrangements, a poor catch can push migrant workers into exploitation and hardship…

…the country’s fish stocks have plummeted by approximately 90% since the 2000s…

…Sponsors often fail to provide legal fishing gear and pressure their fishermen to disregard fishing regulations to make profits…

Such arrangements typically involve sponsors charging migrant fishermen an agreed-upon amount each month…migrant fishermen may be offered a percentage of their catch as compensation, but only in rare cases receive regular monthly salaries. …

…it is commonplace for owners to plead ignorance…

Rather than addressing the multiple factors contributing to the decline of fish stocks in Bahraini waters, Bahraini officials have chosen to scapegoat migrant fishermen. Meanwhile, their sponsors, who expose them to risks, continue to profit from their exploitation.