Neither the lack of direction, nor the lack of supplies, nor the atmospheric changes are the main reasons for the fear of fishermen in besieged Gaza: it is the attacks by the Israeli navy and the arrests near the port area that worry Palestinian fishermen and fish farmers.
Since January 2022, as part of the punitive measures facing civilians, there has been an increase in intimidating gunboat fire on the coastal enclave, the confiscation of boats and a ban on the use of fiberglass to repair the skinny Arab ships, which only operate in an area of can work six miles where the abundance of fish is less.
Despite the siege and the provocations it faces, fishing has become one of the most established industries in the Gaza Strip. The fish catch, which is intended solely to supply the local market, can barely meet the urgent needs of several Palestinian families.
At a time when food insecurity is particularly acute – as a result of the effects of climate change, increased armed conflict and disrupted supply chains – the work of millions of fishermen and aquaculturists around the world has become more relevant and sustainable.
Although there are no precise limits to the “artisanal” type of fisheries, the mention refers to the modest levels of production achieved through precarious inputs and low labor concentration.
On the shores of the Gaza Strip, marine life coexists with war material. Photo: Middle East Eye
Despite its low level of technology and funding, this productive modality – fundamentally developed at the family and community levels – makes a significant contribution to developing economies in areas such as job creation, combating malnutrition and social inclusion of the population.
The United Nations (UN) organization has assessed the contribution of fisheries to the world food system in the face of numerous challenges such as the depletion of non-renewable resources, malnutrition and disease due to nutrient deficiencies, demographic pressures and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To promote the healthy and balanced consumption of fish and aquatic plants and to recognize the importance of marine ecosystems for ecological balance, the UN declared 2022 the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The fishing zone in Gaza has been reduced to six nautical miles as part of the Israeli sanctions. Photo: Middle East Eye
This appointment by the UN General Assembly underscores the admiration that the resilience and courage of Palestinian fishermen deserve.
Rather than raising global awareness of the fisheries sector’s demand for global resources, financial assets, training, technological support and affordable credit, the International Year of Fisheries champions the viability of this socio-economic practice – as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals .
Investors, officials and environmental activists will depend on optimizing the living conditions of the fishing community and on wise management of marine resources. Beyond repression, misunderstanding and waste, the sea will present its impressive heritage to the people.
But for the small number of only about 4,000 Palestinian fishermen – at the beginning of this millennium there were 10,000 who devoted themselves to this trade – they are forbidden from the fish-rich waters. The Zionist apartheid policy leaves little room for survival.
The fish market in Gaza is essential for civilian consumption. Photo: Middle East Eye