Bahrain Territorial Sea

To establish national maritime boundaries.

Species of Concern: multiple

Restrictions

1. Unregistered vessels are prohibited from entering territorial waters.
2. Fishing for shrimp in the territorial seas is prohibited between the closure period, designated and announced annually; normally, starting in March and ending in mid-summer. This prohibition also includes the marketing and sale of shrimp during the ban period, as well as prohibits the presence of nets, gear, or any instrument that may be used for fishing of shrimps on the board of vessels during the ban period.
3. Commercial fishing in the Territorial Sea of Alhiwar Islands is prohibited.
4. Trawling is prohibited.
5. Fishing in the Hiwar Islands' Territorial Sea is prohibited, expect when using traditional methods.
6. Fishing for or harming sea cows, marine turtles, small rabbit-fish under 10cm, ornamental fish, and dolphins are prohibited, as well as harming sea birds. This prohibition includes tamper with their places of origin and reproduction along the country's beaches or in fishing waters.
7. The use of bottom drag nets is prohibited. The use of drag nets for fishing in the Alhirat zones in waters less than 20 meters deep is prohibited. The use of floating drift nets for fishing in shallow waters close to the coast is prohibited.
8. Non-nationals of the State of Bahrain are prohibited from practicing commercial fishing.
9. Fishing female lobsters carrying eggs and small lobsters with back-length less than 7 centimetres are prohibited.
10. Digging and filling up operations, as well as extraction, of marine sand in fishing areas without a licence is prohibited.
11. The importation, manufacture, and use of fishing nets made of three layers of spinning, made of nylon, or made of multiple-fibre nets (Albresem) of 2 or more layers are prohibited.
12. The use of steel columns or solid poles as a mark to locate or indicate the places of fishing gear and equipment in marine coasts and fishing areas is prohibited.
13. Harvesting shrimp under 10cm and shrimp eggs is prohibited.
14. The production and use of multi-hooks fishing threads are prohibited.
15. Fishing, trading, or selling for Green Sawfish sharks by any means, in the inland and territorial fishing waters, whatever its size is prohibited. Species caught must be returned to the sea as soon as if caught by chance, and the person must make every possible effort to avoid its death, or delivery the dead fishes to the General Directorate for the Protection of Marine Resources of the General Authority for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, and inform about sites and dates of the fishing to be monitored.
16. The waste of plants, laboratories, factories, sewage, chemicals, petroleum, ship oils or any liquids or solutions harmful to the marine or other environment in the territorial waters, or adjacent areas, shall be disposed in accordance with the legally prescribed methods.
17. Fishing competitions and water sports are prohibited.
18. The removal or use grasses, aquatic plants, coral reefs, or rocks of various kind is prohibited.
19. The use of aquaculture farms, cages, and the like in fishing waters for the purpose of breeding marine organisms is prohibited.
20. Pearl extractions from oysters is prohibited, unless otherwise allowed in specific protect areas.
21. The use of poisons, explosives, chemicals, and electric methods in the marine environment are prohibited.

Allowed

1. Traditional fishing is allowed in the Territorial Sea of Alhiwar Islands. However, the use of cages is prohibited. Fishing tackles are admitted only after obtaining permit issued by the General Directorate for the Protection of Marine Resources.
2. Ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

1. Shrimp harvesting is only allowed in the northern and eastern region of the country. To the west of the industrial zone of al Hidd and east of the district of al Hoora and suburb of al Fateh are additional zones where small, licensed fishing vessels may catch shrimp.
2. Commercial fishing requires a permit from the competent authority, except when carrying out research or scientific studies.
3. Finfish harvesting with drag nets is allowed 1 March to 31 May.
4. The exportation of shrimp and fish require prior authorization.
5. Marine sand extraction is allowed with a proper permit.