Fish prices have risen by 15 to 30 percent in the Eastern Province since last week, with fishermen and traders blaming poor weather conditions, increasing exports to neighboring countries and declining stocks because of environmental pollution.

However, many angry customers have launched a boycott of the local market to force traders to reduce prices.

Traders at Jubail’s central fish market said Monday that the Coast Guard had banned fishermen from going out because of strong winds.

Munier Saeed, a trader, said: “Rabbit fish and king fish are the most expensive. The price of rabbit fish went up 30 percent to SR800, while king fish went up 16 percent to SR950.”

Muhammad Al-Mohaishi, a trader, said: “The price increases vary between 5 percent and 30 percent depending on the type of fish.”

He said the decision of the Coast Guard had resulted in reduced stocks in the market. "Imports from neighboring Gulf countries have not been enough to bridge the gap,” he said.

Fisherman Abdullah Al-Sulais said environmental pollution has had a detrimental effect on fish stocks.

“We have seen a significant reduction in fish arrivals at the market since 2010, with many local species no longer found in local waters, while other types are very rare.”

A group of customers launched a boycott of the fish market on Twitter. They said that similar consumer protest actions in neighboring countries have been successful.

Others are not convinced of the campaign's feasibility, and have called on the authorities to prevent traders from exporting fish.

Traders also said that many fishermen are now catching shrimp instead of fish.