WWF-Pakistan adviser calls for system to record fish catch
International day against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing being observed today
PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
There is a need to introduce a system to register fishing boats and record fish catch.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Pakistan Technical Adviser Muhammad Moazzam Khan said this on the occasion of International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, which is being observed today (Tuesday).
In its last meeting held in December 2017, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved a resolution to observe the international day against IUU fishing on June 5 every year to draw attention to the threats posed by IUU fishing activities and highlight the sustainable use of fisheries resources.
IUU fishing is a grave issue faced by the countries of the North and West Indian Ocean which have limited monitoring control and surveillance capabilities. Globally, IUU fishing is estimated to be about 20% of the total marine wild catch and is worth around $10 billion to $23.5 billion, said Khan.
Pakistan delivers medical assistance to Indian fishermen stuck at sea
IUU fishing can jeopardise and debilitate conservation and management efforts for sustainable fisheries, ultimately undermining profits and livelihoods of fishermen who follow the rules.
To create awareness about IUU fishing, the WWF-Pakistan held a consultation workshop in collaboration with the provincial fisheries department on May 9 in Karachi. It emerged at the consultation that although Pakistan had a strict monitoring system for its coastal and offshore waters, poaching by Indian fishing boats was still a serious issue.
Every year, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency confiscates hundreds of illegal Indian fishing boats. The workshop also recommended developing a national plan of action for IUU, which is a requirement under the code of conduct for responsible fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Commenting on the first international day against IUU fishing, Khan urged Pakistan to ratify the Agreement on Port State Measures by Pakistan, which is the first binding international agreement to specifically target IUU fishing. It aims to deter and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches.
Turtle species in Pakistan face extinction threat
Khan also stressed the need for keeping vigilance on border areas to ensure effective control of poaching activities as they deprived local fishermen of fisheries resources.
The WWF-Pakistan technical adviser also emphasised the need to declare more marine protected areas along the coast of Pakistan in order to control IUU fishing and conserve natural resources. The government of Balochistan has already declared Astola Island as a protected area, whereas, consultations are under way for giving the same status to Miani Hor and Churna Island, he said.
There is a need to introduce a system to register fishing boats and record fish catch.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Pakistan Technical Adviser Muhammad Moazzam Khan said this on the occasion of International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, which is being observed today (Tuesday).
In its last meeting held in December 2017, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved a resolution to observe the international day against IUU fishing on June 5 every year to draw attention to the threats posed by IUU fishing activities and highlight the sustainable use of fisheries resources.
IUU fishing is a grave issue faced by the countries of the North and West Indian Ocean which have limited monitoring control and surveillance capabilities. Globally, IUU fishing is estimated to be about 20% of the total marine wild catch and is worth around $10 billion to $23.5 billion, said Khan.
Pakistan delivers medical assistance to Indian fishermen stuck at sea
IUU fishing can jeopardise and debilitate conservation and management efforts for sustainable fisheries, ultimately undermining profits and livelihoods of fishermen who follow the rules.
To create awareness about IUU fishing, the WWF-Pakistan held a consultation workshop in collaboration with the provincial fisheries department on May 9 in Karachi. It emerged at the consultation that although Pakistan had a strict monitoring system for its coastal and offshore waters, poaching by Indian fishing boats was still a serious issue.
Every year, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency confiscates hundreds of illegal Indian fishing boats. The workshop also recommended developing a national plan of action for IUU, which is a requirement under the code of conduct for responsible fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Commenting on the first international day against IUU fishing, Khan urged Pakistan to ratify the Agreement on Port State Measures by Pakistan, which is the first binding international agreement to specifically target IUU fishing. It aims to deter and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches.
Turtle species in Pakistan face extinction threat
Khan also stressed the need for keeping vigilance on border areas to ensure effective control of poaching activities as they deprived local fishermen of fisheries resources.
The WWF-Pakistan technical adviser also emphasised the need to declare more marine protected areas along the coast of Pakistan in order to control IUU fishing and conserve natural resources. The government of Balochistan has already declared Astola Island as a protected area, whereas, consultations are under way for giving the same status to Miani Hor and Churna Island, he said.