|
Main Page
|
 |
|
News Channel |
|
Immediate ban on fine fishing nets urged
KARACHI, March 25: Small fishermen who use wooden
boats and depend on creeks for their livelihood,
have called for an immediate implementation of a
ban on dangerous nets as proposed to be enforced.
A group of the small fishermen approached the
media to express their concern over the constant
use of the nets and the relevant authorities'
indifferent attitude over the destruction the nets
were causing to the sea resources.
Despite repeated assurance on the part of the
government that the ban was under consideration
and would be enforced soon after necessary
legislation, nothing had been done so far, they
lamented.
A local fisherman, Gul Mohammad Jat, told this
reporter that a small boat had drowned near Sun
Creek, a few kilometres from Port Qasim on Sunday
after being trapped in fine nets. Three fishermen
- Usman, Sulaiman and Haroon - had been rescued by
other fishermen in the incident.
He said that small boat-owners depending on shore
catch had always remained victims of these
destructive nets, locally known as Boola, Guja and
Katra. The group urged the government on behalf of
their community to declare such nets strictly
banned in order to ensure protection to the
livelihood of small fishermen and also to the
juvenile fish.
Though in the past a ban had been imposed by the
provincial government through an ordinance, but it
could not be enforced effectively. The local
fishermen believe that illegal immigrants, in
connivance with influential figures, have been
using the fine nets.
These influential personalities, they allege, also
provide them shelter in specific areas of the
Sindh coast and also protection from any legal
action.
In exchange, these influential people easily
exploit them by taking away more than 50 per cent
of their catch, or purchasing their catch at 50
per cent lesser then market prices.
The local fishermen allege that the dangerous and
destructive fishing nets had first been introduced
by Bengali-speaking illegal immigrants in Sindh. A
survey shows that hundreds of illegal immigrants,
who have taken refuge in the coastal belt of Sindh,
are mostly engaged in fishing sector.
Interviews with various sources in the sector hint
that the immigrants are recruited by sea-lords as
labourers on launches on very low remuneration.
These sea-lords are in virtual command on the
fishing business in their respective localities.
They have also built small huts to accommodate the
illegal immigrants who are force to pay a monthly
rent for the facility guarded by armed men hired
for the purpose. Thousands of illegal immigrants,
especially Bengalis and Burmese, are engaged in
illegal fishing in the coastal areas of Sindh.
The DAWN |
|
|
|
|
Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
|
|
