Chief of the Palestinian fishermen Nizar Ayyash has affirmed that Israel’s decision to expand the fishing zone from six to nine nautical miles will not be of much benefit to Gaza fishermen saying that the fish abound within 12 nautical miles.
“At least the fishing space should be 12 nautical miles in order for the fishermen to be able to reach the coral reef where there are abundant fish in terms of quantity and quality”
“The areas of nine or 11 nautical miles are sandy where there are a few numbers of fish as is the case with the seven miles” he added.
However he expressed hope that the fishing zone would be expanded to nine nautical miles along the coast of the Gaza Strip and for a longer period.
He also stressed the need for an end to Israel’s daily violations against the fishermen in Gaza including gunfire attacks and arrests.
The Israeli occupation authority recently declared its intention to expand the designated fishing zone off the coast of Gaza for the upcoming fishing season to nine nautical miles instead of six.
The decision will go into effect on November 1 and expire about two months later.
