Fuel price hike hits fishermen hard

Costs soar as global seafood demand remains weak

KARACHI:

Rising fuel prices have intensified the financial difficulties faced by people engaged in deep-sea fishing, as the cost of operating diesel-powered boats and fishing launches continues to climb.

The increase in fuel prices has sharply raised operational expenses for fishermen, who rely primarily on diesel engines to power both large fishing launches and smaller boats.

In addition to fuel costs, expenses related to ice, fishing nets, food supplies for long voyages and other necessities are also expected to rise significantly.

This comes as the fishing community has already been grappling with declining incomes due to uncertainty in global seafood markets, making the latest fuel price increase an additional burden. Pakistani fishermen who spend days and nights in the open sea catching fish, shrimp and other marine species have gradually begun to feel the impact of the current extraordinary situation.

All vessels used for both short and long fishing trips operate on diesel engines, making fuel the single largest operating expense for fishing operations.

According to Kamal Shah of the Coastal Media Centre, fuel prices have reached extremely high levels, significantly increasing operational costs for fishermen.

He said fishermen are also facing difficulties because international markets are not offering favourable prices for fish and shrimp, while declining exports and uncertainty in global markets are affecting incomes. Shah said the impact of rising fuel prices goes beyond boat operations.

"When diesel and petrol prices increase, the impact is not limited to fuel for boats. The costs of ice, food, fishing nets, rations and other essential supplies also rise," he explained.

Under such conditions, many fishermen are forced to stop going out to sea because the expenses become too high, pushing their families closer to hunger and poverty.

He added that when international seafood prices decline and exports fall, large food companies and major seafood traders often benefit from the situation, while poor fishermen and coastal communities bear the brunt of the losses.

Shah urged the government to introduce diesel subsidies for fishermen, adopt improved policies for seafood exports and ensure economic protection for coastal communities.