Cyclone Biparjoy leaves fishermen unemployed

Daily waged fishermen concerned over economic impact, waiting for cyclone to pass

KARACHI:

The joy of fishermen in Karachi has been shattered by the impact of tropical cyclone Biparjoy, which has disrupted their fishing activities and left them unemployed during what is typically a rare respite for them in June.

As per the regulations, fishing in the sea is prohibited during June and July due to the breeding season of fish and the recurring threat of tropical storms in the Arabian Sea. As a result, hundreds of fishermen have been affected by the cyclone.

Those who rely on fishing as daily wages labourers find themselves without work, anxiously waiting for the storm to pass. While some experienced fishermen venture into the sea daily, others spend weeks searching for substantial catches.

However, in the face of the current situation, they find themselves repairing nets and boats on the shore, unable to pursue their livelihoods. Acting on the advice of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Sindh government has imposed a ban on fishing to protect the fishermen and their coastal villages. Although the fishermen are concerned about the economic impact, they are equally worried about the potential damage to their communities.

A fisherman at Ibrahim Hyderi jetty, Ashiq Ali, shared his perspective with The Express Tribune, stating, "The ocean is restless right now, and the waves are unpredictable. Having fished since childhood, I have observed storms, but they never reached our area. However, those currently at sea should return".

He said that six days before our planned expedition, we returned from the Indian border due to the possibility of a storm. The journey, which usually takes 20 days, was accompanied by stormy winds. The storm will likely cause flooding and high waves, putting us at risk.

Thankfully, the offshore trees serve as a barrier, preventing the storm's approach. We have safely docked all our launches, he said. Another fisherman, 80-year-old Abdul Majeed, expressing concern about the impending hurricane, emphasised that the potential loss of fishing vessels could result in significant financial setbacks, with no compensation available.

Majeed has been out of work for two days, noting that their daily routine involved fishing from early morning until evening, yielding an average of 15,000 fishes per day and earning thousands of rupees. fisherman Abbas highlighted the impact of the storm on daily wage earners.

He explained that their livelihood depended on working tirelessly from morning to evening, but with no employment opportunities currently available, they are forced to weave nets. A net spanning 60 metres typically yields over 30,000 fishes, providing their daily income. The ban on fishing in the sea, enforced under Section 144, came into effect on June 11 and will remain in force until June 17.