Ministry of fisheries goes up against ‘sea lords’

KARACHI: Informative handouts will be distributed among fishermen from August 5 to August 15 to warn them against the use of certain fishing nets that are harmful for underwater species, said Fisheries Minister Zahid Bhurgri at a press conference on Friday.

The use of these illegal nets - three of which are commonly known as Gujjo, Katra and Bullo - has stunted breeding among small shrimp and prawns, said Bhurgri, who added that the fishermen who are found guilty of using the prohibited nets in Sindh’s waters will be sentenced to one year in prison and a penalty of Rs50,000.

“The livelihood of thousands of fishermen depends on small-scale fishing in the creeks of Sindh, which is at stake because of the use of destructive nets by highly influential people,” said Bhurgri, who warned that the “sea lords”, who indulge in illegal fishing practices with the help of corrupt officials, will not be tolerated for defying the law.

Recently, 212 illegal nets were impounded while 10 fishermen were arrested for violating the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980, he added. The European Union (EU) had also imposed a ban on the import of fisheries from Pakistan, said Bhurgri, who hoped that the EU team will lift its ban after observing the improved fishing practices in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2010.