Speakers for fighting against illegal fishing

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a serious fisheries management related issue being faced by developed and developing countries and Pakistan is not an exception. IUU is generally considered as a marine crime and not most of the countries are vigilant enough to tackle this issue because it deprives them of important foreign exchange and brings bad name.
Speakers cautioned during a workshop titled 'combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Pakistan jointly organized by World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) and Sindh Fisheries Department at a hotel in Karachi on Wednesday.
They said the dual licensing of fishing boats, lack of resources and manpower are a big challenge curbing IUU fishing in Pakistan. They shared that Indian fishing vessels operating in Pakistani waters are causing a huge loss to exchequer annually. They suggested that an independent committee led by provinces, on rotational basis, may be established to monitor, assess and manage the issue. The workshop also recommended a national plan of action for IUU, which will be developed by a core group, led by heads of federal and provincial fisheries departments among other stakeholders.
Rear Admiral Zaka-Ur-Rehman (SI) M, DG Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) said all relevant departments and government agencies should work in close coordination to curb IUU. He also informed that PSMA with available resources is doing its best in this regard. 'Dual fishing licences, unregistered boats, and poaching in Pakistan waters are the urgent issues which need to be addressed', he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Adviser Fisheries, WWF-Pakistan said IUU fishing is a significant global problem which jeopardizes ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods around the world. It threatens the fish breeding grounds, local livelihoods and is a major hindrance to the recovery of fish populations. He also informed that IUU fishing worldwide account for about 10 to $23 billion annually. Data collection and detection of illegal activities has been a challenge, especially in the vast areas of operation in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific.
Rab Nawaz, Senior Director WWF-Pakistan shared that marine resources are confronting major threats of pollution, destructive fishing methods and IUU fishing among others. In order to conserve the rich marine biodiversity, WWF-Pakistan has initiated a number of projects under Marine Programme which include study of tuna fisheries, cetacean, turtles and mangroves forests. He was of the view that IUU is a big challenge which is getting augmented very rapidly. He emphasized that there is need to introduce technology transfer, improve facilities at landing ports and build the capacity of officials of relevant departments.
Khawar Pervez Awan, Additional Secretary (Technical), Sindh Fisheries Department said the department is taking all possible efforts to curb IUU fishing in coastal waters of Sindh. He also shared that the department is also framing rules and regulations. Additionally, TEDs (Turtle Excluding Device) are being implemented in shrimp trawlers as required by USA from July to September.
Mirza Zeeshan Baig, Deputy Director Operations, Pakistan Marine Security Agency PMSA said the current challenges marine resources are facing include poaching, marine pollution, and non-registration of fishing boats. He also said as per new Deep Sea Fisheries Policy 2018, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is being installed on all boats large than 15 meters. He also strongly recommended that Pakistan may immediately ratify and implement Port States Measures Agreement. He informed that Indian fishing operating in Pakistan waters cause huge economic losses to the country. PMSA has confiscated 1465 Indian fishing boats with 8125 fishermen since 1987. 'It is because of the strict surveillance and monitoring that eight billion losses have been reduced to 1 billion rupees annually,' he added.
Umair Shahid, Manager Marine Programme, WWF-Pakistan shared that all life on Earth depends on a healthy ocean. Billions of us rely on it for food, livelihoods and many other services. He was of the view that a healthy ocean means healthy people, food security, regional stability and a flourishing economy. Irresponsible practices are pushing our ocean systems to the point of collapse. 'Improved management can help reverse this decline and restore ocean health', he added.
Muhammad Wasim, DG Marine Fisheries Department Pakistan, Dr Babar Khan, Regional Head, WWF-Pakistan; Faisal Iftikhar, Board member WWF-Pakistan; Ghulam Muhammad Mahar, former DG Sindh Fisheries Department; Muhammad Noor, DG Balochistan Fisheries Department; Tahir Habib Assistant Director, Balochistan Fisheries Department also spoke on the occasion. Group work was also conducted to receive feedback from participants regarding causes and threats from IUU fishing in country.