Balochistan to curb illegal fishing in its territorial waters

'All concerned agencies should take strict action against illegal trawlers and unregistered boats'

QUETTA:

A vessel monitoring system will be installed on the boats and all local fishermen will ensure registration of their boats with the government.

Balochistan Fisheries Department is unable to take strict action against the boats involved in illegal fishing in its coastal waters due to lack of resources including modern and fast boats and man power.

This was disclosed by DG Fisheries Balochistan at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Matahar Niaz Rana. The meeting was held to review the situation of illegal hunting and to prevent illegal it in the territorial waters of the province.

Additional Chief Secretary Home Arshad Majeed, Secretary Finance Abdul Rehman Buzdar, Secretary Fisheries Babar Khan, DG Fisheries and other concerned officers attended the meeting.

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Briefing about the difficulties, DG Fisheries said that his department is taking steps to curb illegal trawlers and fishing boats, however, due to unavailability of manpower and modern patrol boats, the department is unable to take effective action against illegal trawlers and boats.

Addressing the meeting, the chief secretary said that all concerned agencies including Fisheries Department should take strict action against illegal trawlers and unregistered boats in Balochistan waters.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2021.