Latest news with #SindhFisheriesOrdinance1980
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sindh lifts ban on fishing before time
The Sindh government has prematurely lifted its annual fishing ban at coastal and freshwater bodies, which was originally set to end on August 1. The ban has been lifted from July 1 without any official explanation from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, which issued the notification. Under the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980, a two-month ban is imposed every year during June and July to allow for the natural breeding cycle of shrimp and fish. The ban plays a vital role in protecting marine life and future fishery stocks. The wildlife and marine experts have expressed serious concerns about the environmental and economic consequences of ending the ban prematurely. According to WWF-Pakistan's Technical Advisor, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Pakistan's shrimp production has already seen a steep decline from 27,000 tons in 2020 to just 17,400 tons in 2024. He noted that, by international standards, a minimum three-month ban (from May to July) is recommended to ensure full breeding. "Sadly, in Sindh, even the two-month ban was not allowed to mature," he said. Khan warned that while the decision may be justified in the name of supporting fishermen's livelihood, the long-term result will be depletion of marine resources, ultimately harming the same communities. Fisherfolk representative Abdul Majeed Motani also opposed the early lifting of the ban, stating that it was influenced by a powerful political figure in the Sindh government, not by genuine concern for the fishing community. He added that fishing in this season is dangerous due to rough sea conditions, and claimed to have formally raised the issue with the Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Centre, warning them of the risks to both marine life and fishermen. Meanwhile, the Federal Marine Fisheries Department has also expressed alarm over the decision of prematurely ending the ban. Department's Director General, Dr. Mansoor Wassan, stated that lifting the ban early will accelerate the decline of fish and shrimp stocks, adversely affecting the Pakistan's seafood exports. Efforts by The Express Tribune to contact Sindh's Secretary of Livestock and Fisheries, Kazim Jatoi, for an explanation went unanswered. Calls and WhatsApp messages sent to his official number also received no response.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt bans use of fine nets in coastal waters
The Sindh government has banned all types of fine nets used in fishing. Their use was rapidly reducing the fish stocks in the sea. In this regard, the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority has sent a letter to all relevant institutions, including the fishermen and trawler owners' association, in which they have been informed about the ban on the use of fine nets. According to sources, the said ban has been imposed to save the rapidly depleting fish stocks in the province's maritime boundaries. However, according to fishermen's leader Abdul Majeed Motani, such bans have been imposed before but have never been implemented. Talking to The Express Tribune, he said that there is a need to ensure the implementation of this ban. He said that the use of fine nets is threatening the complete extinction of 35 species of fish, including shrimp. These species of fish breed in the roots of mangroves. They are being eliminated due to the use of fine nets. It should be noted that the order banning the use of fine nets has been issued through the amendments recently introduced in the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980. According to the amendment in sub-rule (2) of Rule 25-A: "No person shall be allowed to fish with encircling net or improvised purse seine nets locally called 'wire net' or 'ring net' and bottom trawl locally called 'trawls' or 'Gujja', 'Gujjo' or 'Gujji' in the creek areas of the province of Sindh and up to twelve nautical miles from the shore along the coast and territorial waters of the province of Sindh." Whereas the amendment in sub-rule (3) of Rule 25-A states that: "Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, a fishing license granted under the Ordinance or rules made thereunder shall not entitle or authorise the licensee to fish with encircling net or improvised purse net locally called 'wire net' or 'ring net' in the creeks, internal waters and twelve nautical miles from the baseline and shall fish by gillnets with a mesh size not less than 120mm (stretched) and shrimp fishing net with a mesh size not less than 60mm (stretched) beyond internal waters and twelve nautical miles away from the baseline along the coast of the province of Sindh, and shall not disrupt already laid fishing nets. Set bag nets locally called 'Bulla' or 'Bullo' nets (estuaries and creeks set bag net) and seine nets locally called 'Katra' are prohibited for such creeks and territorial waters of the province of Sindh."
