Doha: In the aquatic realm of the Gulf, amid its waves and currents, and ranging from near the surface to the depths, the kingfish reigns supreme in excellence and beauty.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Fisheries Department, has recently announced the launch of the kingfish fishing ban season from Aug. 15 to Oct. 15, 2025. Based on the decision, the use of gill nets for fishing is prohibited, and the trade and transport of such nets are also banned, while only line fishing is permitted.

Qatar News Agency reached Director of the Fisheries Department Abdulaziz Al Dehaimi, who outlined the key objective of this annual ban, stressing that it primarily intends to protect fish stocks and ensure sustainability in the Qatari marine habitats, as this kind of fish is one of the critical economic species.

Dehaimi further added that the ban offers an opportunity for fish recovery and for augmenting the stock to remain abundant for the next generations, affirming that the ban duration is two months based on scientific studies and monitoring data, which confirmed that halting the use of gill nets during this period enhances the reproduction of the kingfish, offering the new generations enough time to grow and ultimately elevate the total stock.

The department’s surveillance operators and the competent judicial authorities vested with this mission are monitoring the situation daily to ensure people are abiding by this decision and other regulatory rules through inspections of fishing boats and ports, Dehaimi highlighted.

Dehaimi stressed that financial and administrative penalties are imposed on violators in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 4 of 1983 on the exploitation and protection of marine resources.

He indicated that the department has been committed to launching awareness programs for fishermen and the public through media campaigns and workshops to highlight the significance of the ban and the measures regulating fisheries, in addition to engaging local media outlets in disseminating the awareness messages.