Overlooking the Arabian Gulf with a coastline of 128 kilometres long, Kuwait has always depended on the resources of the sea for much of its food.

The economic success of Kuwait’s fishery is due to strong market demand, which is met by local production, regional imports and some imports from outside the region. There are now two fishing harbours for industrial vessels, two modern harbours for artisanal boats (in Kuwait Bay) and two harbours, which will be modernized in the near future (one in Kuwait Bay and other south of Kuwait Bay). These modern harbours are established within the Kuwait waterfront project. The old fish section in the central city market was modernized and another modern fish market, attached to a new harbour, was established recently. Three new, but smaller, fish markets will be constructed in 2003.

In comparison to the oil industry, the contribution of the fishing industry to Kuwait’s economy is very small. Although there is little Kuwaiti employment in fishing operations, the industry offers a significant investment opportunity for the Kuwaiti private sector. In addition to commercial food production, the fishery resource also supports recreational fishing.