Balochistan’s maritime area to be divided

Move to help security agencies take action against trawlers

QUETTA:

In a bid for security agencies to take action against illegal trawlers, the Balochistan government on Monday announced to divide 750kms of maritime area into seven zones.

A review meeting on the prevention of illegal trawlers was held in Makran under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Balochistan Matahar Niaz Rana.

He directed the fisheries secretary and DG fisheries to increase coordination with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and the Pakistan Coast Guards in this regard apart from ensuring prompt repair of all the patrolling boats of the Fisheries Department.

Briefing the participants of the meeting, the fisheries representatives said the number of illegal trawlers in Makran had come down drastically in recent times which have brought a wave of happiness among the fishermen.

However, recent reports suggested that trawlers had begun reappearing which had once again caused anxiety and frustration among the local fishermen.

The delegates added that they had personally seen trawlers from Sindh in several areas of Kalmat and Kahpar.

DC Gwadar Capt (retd) Jamil Baloch informed the meeting that there were also reports of illegal trawlers in Kalmat, Ormara, Sarbandar and Kahpar areas but the number was less than before.

Further on in the meeting, DG Fisheries said patrolling was carried out by the fisheries department but some trawlers still managed to steal and due to lack of coordination with other security agencies, no action could be taken against the illegal trawlers on concrete grounds.

Participants of the meeting decided that action would be taken against those who supported illegal trawlers and the chief secretary directed the FIA director to take action against them.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Secretary Rana said all the institutions have to show utmost responsibility to solve this problem. He reminded that Minister Azam had declared it a national issue earlier and this is why everyone has to work with national spirit in this regard.

Rana added that the provincial government stood by the fishermen of Balochistan and would not leave them alone under any circumstances.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Qamar Masood, Law Secretary Akbar Harifal, Special Secretary Finance Afzal Khosti, Secretary Fisheries Babar Khan, DG Levies, while additional secretary of the maritime affairs ministry, Sindh fisheries secretary, DGPMSA, DG coast guard, Director FIA, DG fisheries, DC Gwadar and other officials concerned participated via a video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2022.