Rear Windowz: Artistitic work on Gaza food shortage due to Karni crossing closure

by Palestinian artists Raaof Haj Yahia and Ali Batha.

Some Data

Population in Gaza: 1.4 million

Fishers: approx. 2,500 registered
Of which, 1,040 fishers based in Mawasi area (Rafah and Khan Younis)

Support staff (repair, marketing): approx. 2,500

4 Fishing wharves: Gaza city, Deir el Balah, (Al Mawasi) Khan Younis, (Al Mawasi) Rafah

Fishing units (not all in working conditions): Trawlers (17), Shanshula Launch (purse seine - 66), motorised Hasaka (495), unmotorised Hasaka (150)

Catches: mostly sardines, but also mackerel, swimming crab, cuttlefish, horse mackerel, prawns and little tunny

Fishery Administration: General directorate of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Transport; Coastal Police

Private Institutions: Al Towfiq cooperative; and fishermen associations

Key issues

Limits on fishing areas (6 nautical miles off the coast, i.e. 330 square km)

Likely full or overexploitation of major accessible fisheries resources

Bycatch (around 400kg a day)

Pollution (due to use of pesticides and fertilisers)

Restrictions on Access and Trade to and from Gaza

The 'Seaport' in Gaza City and the other 3 wharves need rehabilitation

Many boats are holed and/or rusty

Vulnerable areas: Al Mawasi (Fishers from Khan Younis were totally prevented from fishing between 2000 and 2005, and were restricted from maintaining their boats for much of that period. Fishermen from Rafah could fish, but were also subject to restrictions on access to their boats. Over the same period, total revenue generated by the Mawasi fishing industry dropped by more than two-thirds, forcing many fishermen to rely heavily on food assistance)

Lack of infrastructures and facilities

The airport of Gaza is not operating

Rear Windowz

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Artistitic work on Gaza food shortage due to Karni crossing closure

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