On the shore of Lake Bardawil in northern Sinai, 50-year-old Suleiman Salem seemed ready to turn on his boat’s engine that had stopped for several months, preparing for his first fishing trip after the security and administrative authorities approved the resumption of the fishing season starting Saturday.
Fishing in the lake had stopped after the army and security forces launched a major operation against ISIS in northern and central Sinai on February 9.
The offensive aimed to "impose a full maritime control over the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, and prevent the infiltration of terrorists and the provision of logistical support across the coast."
Talking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Suleiman, a member of the Dawaghera tribe, said this was a historic day, noting that the ban on fishing put him in debt so that he meets the daily needs of his 10-member family, including schoolchildren and his elderly parents.
He added that he and his friends used to fish in the lake for eight consecutive months to ensure their livelihood, before taking a break waiting the growth of fish. However, this season, the 50-year-old fisherman was surprised by the suspension decision.
Bardawil Lake is located along the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of North Sinai, covering an area of about 700 square kilometers with a length of 90 km and a width of 22 km. It is connected to the sea by water channels that feed the lake with seawater. Fishermen are allowed to fish in it from May 1 to December, which is followed by a rest period allowing fish to replenish.
According to official data from the Lake Bardawil Department, the fishing season this year was approved for a one-month pilot start, and fishing is only allowed during daylight. The statement said 1,228 boats, employing 4,000 fishermen, operate in the lake.
Sami Abdul-Raouf, a merchant who buys from the lake's fish, told Asharq Al-Awsat that during the fishing ban, people bought “fish imported from farms outside Sinai.”
“This was the first time they had to consume fish from outside the Bardawil area.”
He added that the start of the fishing season “brings back life to the fishing and trade sectors, and provides work for fishermen along with more than 3,000 merchants, distributors and transport vehicle owners, as well as restaurants that rely mainly on serving the lake's fish known for its unique taste.”
