Gaza fisherman Akram Mikdad says he is struggling to provide for his family of 10 after Israel tightened the restricted fishing zone it enforces off the Palestinian enclave from nine to six nautical miles.
"The catch is low," says Mikdad. "I am working hard for my children – we are 10 people – and we can't make a living. We go to sea but every day there are problems and shootings so we don't have good fishing."
"It is an unbearable life, we are unable to live like this," says 45-year-old Mikdad, one of about 3,700 fishermen in the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave.
Last week, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman imposed new limitations on fishing after Palestinian attempts to infiltrate Israel and attack Israeli forces across the border.
Palestinians have been mounting frequent violent protests along the Israel-Gaza frontier, including attempts to breach the security fence, over the last several months.
Gazans have also launched flotillas toward the maritime border with Israel.
Traders in Gaza's fish market say prices have risen because the supply of fish cannot meet demand in the enclave of 2 million, which is mired in deep economic crisis.
Both Israel and Egypt keep tight control of their borders with Gaza, citing security concerns.
"We have no space," says fisherman Ali al-Assi, 64. "If we go to the north then the Israeli navy will push us back, and if we go to the south, the Egyptians are there."
