‘Fishing at several points banned’

SIALKOT:

The Director-General of Fisheries of Punjab, Dr Sikandar Hayat, said on Wednesday that fishing with net in Head Marala upstream of the River Chenab, Jammu Tawi and Manawar Tawi had been banned for 10 years.

He said this during his visit to the Hatchery Rehabilitation Centers at Kotli Araian and Sambrial.

The Deputy Director of Fisheries of Gujranwala Division, Azeem Begum, was also present on the occasion.

Dr Hayat said the purpose of the ban was to protect the breeding grounds of fish, which would allow the fish to fully mature and give them adequate time for their breeding. He said that large fishes in Head Marala upstream were becoming extinct due to netting, and many fish species were under the threat of going extinct.

The director-general said that a substantial increase in fish production in Punjab and supply of fish to the public at reasonable prices were among the priorities of the department.

Fish supply at reasonable prices could bring down the prices of mutton
and chicken significantly, he added.

He said the Punjab government would develop the department of fisheries on modern lines, and all resources were being utilized in this regard.

Dr Sikandar Hayat said that fish meat contained the best nutrition, and it was also important to educate people about the benefits of fish.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2022.