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Japanese Patent Office Honors Manga Arabia

Dr. Issam Bukhari, General Director and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, receives the honor. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Issam Bukhari, General Director and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, receives the honor. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Japanese Patent Office Honors Manga Arabia

Dr. Issam Bukhari, General Director and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, receives the honor. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Issam Bukhari, General Director and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, receives the honor. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Manga Arabia Company, affiliated with the Saudi Research and Media Group, was honored by the Japanese Patent Office for participating in a digital awareness campaign to combat electronic piracy and protect intellectual property (IP).
The campaign was organized by the patent office and the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF), managed by the Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO).
Manga Arabia participated in the campaign by translating visual materials into Arabic and sharing them on its digital platforms.
The company has a significant online presence in the Middle East, with over 1.2 billion appearances on various digital platforms and over 7.5 million application downloads across 190 countries. The extensive reach positioned Manga Arabia as an influential asset for reaching and educating young people.
Manga Arabia’s editor-in-chief, Issam Bukhari, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting anti-piracy measures and promoting IP values. He highlighted the company’s goal of creating a safe and reliable environment for its products to inspire and empower imagination in the Arab world.

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Varieties

The Barnacle, Spaniards’ Favorite Christmas Dish, Imperiled by Climate Change

Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)
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The Barnacle, Spaniards’ Favorite Christmas Dish, Imperiled by Climate Change

Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)

On the craggy rocks on northwestern Spain's treacherous Costa da Morte (Death Coast), wetsuit-clad fishermen dodge crashing waves as they pick barnacles, a prized Christmas delicacy facing decline due to climate change and other factors.

Fetching up to 200 euros ($208) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) during the holiday season, the gooseneck barnacle from the Galicia region has long been treasured by Spaniards for both its flavor and difficulty to harvest.

However, the rise in sea temperatures driven by climate change has severely affected barnacle habitats, as they thrive in icy waters. A recent study by the University of Vigo also linked changing wave patterns to lower quality in the shellfish.

Israel Martinez, an auctioneer in the A Coruna fish market, said that there used to be double or triple the number of barnacles just 10 years ago.

Despite state regulations - such as limiting daily harvests to 7 kg per fisherman - illegal fishing has surged due to the barnacles' high value.

Licensed percebeiros, or barnacle pickers, have called for increased policing of the coast to deter poachers.

Their job is classified as a risky profession due to the adverse work conditions.

"The percebeiro trade on the Costa da Morte is dying. This is due to climate change, absurd laws, illegal fishing and a lack of workers," 36-year-old Roberto Vidal, who started out as a percebeiro at 16, told Reuters.

He said there used to be between 100 and 200 percebeiros in his town of Corme. Now, there are around 30.

Fellow percebeiro Serafin Rodriguez said that future generations would be unable to follow in his footsteps due to declining barnacle populations.