Sindh Minister of Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari said the government had issued a notification on July 22 (that has been passed by the assembly and is now an act), which would be instrumental in dealing with illegal nets responsible for destroying marine life.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said that illegal nets are damaging marine life, especially baby prawns that live in creeks under the mangrove roots.
The Sindh government would launch a campaign from August 1 to inform fishermen about the new notification through pamphlets, seminars and other channels before starting the crackdown, he told the media.
Everyday 25,000 to 30,000 tons of baby prawns are being caught through illegal nets. These baby prawns fetch only Rs4 to Rs5 a kilogramme instead of the normal price of Rs700 to Rs800 a kg, he said.
Secretary Fisheries Dr Laiq Ahmad said that the government has taken all measures to satisfy European experts who are expected to come for inspection in a few months. He said that the government has improved 180 boats according to European standards, and more boats will be modified.
From the present $240 million worth of exports of fisheries products, Pakistan expects to raise its exports to $1 billion, once the ban is lifted by the European Union, he said.
Replying to a question, he said that the cash penalty for using illegal nets has been raised to Rs50,000 from Rs10,000 and the jail sentence is now one year which was six months prior to this act.
He said that Balochistan has been successful in implementing fishing nets because fishermen themselves avoid illegal nets to save marine lives.
About deep-sea trawlers which are also responsible for destroying precious marine life, he said that the government has decided to stop issuing licences to big trawlers and not a single licence has been issued over the past 1 year.
The two speakers also said that the government of Sindh has already taken steps to acquire the services of Rangers, Costguards and Customs to implement this act effectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2010.
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