DOHA: The authorities have imposed a 50kg ceiling on vehicles transporting local fish to neighbouring countries for personal use. The move is intended to curb smuggling of local fish to markets in some neighbouring countries for the purpose of sale, a local Arabic daily reported.
The decision apparently is prompted by a campaign being waged by a group of citizens through the social media against the soaring prices of fish in the local market. Every tourists’ vehicle coming to the country is now permitted to carry a maximum 50kg of fish during their return trip. Earlier, five to six tonnes of local fish were being smuggled to the neighbouring markets for sale on a daily basis, said the report.
Groups of traders from some nieighbouring countries used to come in private vehicles and they hire more vehicles from Qatar to take huge quantities of fish back home. Some 300 to 400kg of fish were being smuggled daily in each vehicle in this way, added the daily.
The report, however, has not cited the reasons for tourists to buy fish from the Qatari market, despite the soaring prices. Popular varieties like Hamour and Sheri are the most sought after by the visitors. The authorities have now stepped in to act, apparently fearing a further hike in the prices due to a possible shortage in supply. The rule does not apply to traders who are licensed to export fish to the neighbouring countries by road. There are 10 to 15 licensed vehicles transporting fish to neighbouring countries daily, said the report.
Quoting a citizen, the newpaper said the 50kg ceiling is not new but it was not strictly imposed. Now the authorities have decided to act, promoted by the soaring fish prices. The social media campaign titled “let fish prices fall” had triggered a tremendous response in the Qatari and expatriate communities.
The Peninsula
