Banned fishing nets: Court orders action against manufacturers

KARACHI:

The Sindh police chief has been ordered to take action against the manufacturers of banned fishing nets, which are causing immense damage to the marine life.

The Sindh High Court bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing a petition on Tuesday filed by four fishermen. Hussain Ali with three more fishermen from Ibrahim Hyderi is seeking a ban on the use of prohibited methods of fishing.

Almost 60% of the total catch landing daily at Karachi’s fish harbour constitutes juvenile fish and other species that are not consumed. The trash catch is used to make fish meal which is a supplement protein source generally supplied to poultry farms.

To make money, some influential people with political backing use several hazardous methods, including banned nets, deep sea trawlers and chemicals, for fishing, the petitioners alleged. The use of banned nets, including Bullo, Kado, Katra and wires, has been banned under international fishing laws but they are being used without any check in Sindh.

The coastal belt of Sindh has more than 350 different species of fish, which are now threatened due to the use of prohibited fishing methods, the fishermen claimed, submitting that their forefathers had been living and fishing along the coastal belt for centuries.

The secretaries of defence, interior and the Sindh home department, the directors general of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan Coast Guards, Sindh agriculture, livestock and fisheries departments and the inspector general of police were cited as respondents.

On Tuesday, the law officer of the Pakistan Coast Guards, Major Sajjad, stated that the force has mainly control over the coastal areas from Thatta to Gawadar, but neither it has the authority nor the resources to check any illegal fishing activity. He said that the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency was the relevant agency to keep a check on such practices.

The Maritime Security Agency’s lawyer, Umer Hayat Sindhu, stated that his client had certain objections and the Sindh police may be directed to get hold of the manufacturers of harmful nets.

The state lawyer, Sharfuddin Mangi, requested the court to grant him time to call an officer concerned from the Sindh fisheries department on the next date of hearing.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Nasir Ali, told the judges that the Balochistan High Court has already ordered the departments and agencies concerned to strictly enforce the rules and regulations prescribed for fishing. The lawyer appealed to the court to issue similar directions to Sindh government departments and agencies and impose a ban on such practices.

After hearing their arguments, the court, besides directing the Sindh IGP to look into the matter, also directed fisheries and maritime security officers to assist the court in preventing the alleged crime.

The government has banned the use of Guja, Boola and Katra (soft nylon nets) that are considered harmful to the growth of fish eggs and young fish.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2012.