Fisheries department places one month ban on fishing in July

KARACHI: A month long "ban" on fishing would be enforced along the coastal line in Sindh province in the month of July this year.

This was decided unanimously in a meeting, presided over by Zahid Ali Bhurgari, Minister for Fisheries Sindh at Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Abdul Ghani Jokhio, Managing Director KFHA, Cdre. Azir Mumtaz, Deputy Director General, Maritime Security Agency (MSA), Representative of Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG), Vice Chairman, Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA), Representatives of Fishermen Society, Pakistan Fisherfolk forum, Bonafide Fishermen, Sindh Trawlers Owners Association, Mole Holders etc.

Representatives of fishermen community stressed on effective implementation of "ban" on fishing but for only one month in the entire coastal areas. They also urged to enforce ban on destructive nets and controlling of sea pollution. However, Vice Chairman PFEA conveyed the reservation of his association on one month ban for July and urged that it should be for two months.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Fisheries Sindh said that it was collective responsibility of all stakeholders to take effective measures for the conservation of marine resources. He informed that 200 destructive nets had been burnt at Karachi Fish Harbour out of 500 nets confiscated by the Sindh Fisheries Department so far.

Abdul Ghani Jokhio, Managing Director informed the meeting that from 1st August 2012, KFHA would not allow landing of trash fish at Karachi Fish Harbour.