Key facts
- Gazan fishermen are using reclaimed materials, including door frames and fibreglass, to repair fishing dinghies.
- Restrictions on new materials and high costs make traditional repairs difficult.
- The total monthly catch has fallen to less than 15 tons.
- This decline is attributed to Israeli restrictions and the ongoing conflict.
- The cost of fibreglass has increased significantly.
In Gaza, fishermen are resorting to innovative and makeshift repairs for their vessels, using materials such as door frames and reclaimed fibreglass to patch up pleasure dinghies. This practice stems from the prohibitive cost and scarcity of essential materials, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions. Fishermen report that the cost of fibreglass has increased from 50-60 shekels per kilo before the war to around 800 shekels currently. The economic impact on the fishing community is severe, with total monthly catches plummeting to less than 15 tons, a stark contrast to previous daily catches. COGAT, the Israeli military agency, stated that bans cover items with potential military use but did not specifically comment on fibreglass restrictions. Even before the recent conflict, fishermen faced strict Israeli limitations on how far they could sail, and now report increased shooting incidents near the shore. The decline in fishing, a crucial source of food, exacerbates the existing hunger crisis in Gaza. More than 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce began, according to figures from Gaza health officials. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period, Israel's military has said. The Gaza fishing industry's total catch has shrunk to less than 15 tons a month, the amount they used to take every day before the war. Fishing was an important source of food before the conflict. The hunger crisis in Gaza has eased since famine was declared in parts of the tiny, crowded territory before the ceasefire last year. But aid agencies say most children still don't get a diverse enough diet and the UN reported that 3,500 children were admitted for malnutrition treatment in April.