Members of civil society organizations, politicians and environmentalists have urged government to cancel licenses of the deep-sea fishing trawlers in order to save livelihood of hundreds of fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan.

Speakers in a seminar on “Privatization of water and industrial fishing by deep-sea fishing trawlers,” organized by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) in collaboration of Oxfam GB Pakistan at a local hotel here on Tuesday March 6 said that the deep sea fishing trawlers had endangered the marine resources and the livelihood of the fishermen.

Mohammad Ali Shah, chairman PFF alleged that the government was ready to privatise the whole country especially coastal belt of Sindh and Balochistan. “They have started privatization of the sea,” he said. Shah said that these were the political issues and their resolution lied in the political struggle.

Taj Hyder, central leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stressed over need of fish stock survey and development of sustainable fisheries policy. He hoped his party would support stand of the PFF for cancellation of licenses of deep-sea fishing trawlers. He said that the human population was increasing, so it was need of the time not only protect the resources but also take initiative to increase their production.

Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamote, director Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) said that the destructive nets used by the local fishermen were more dangerous than the deep-sea fishing trawlers, “we should also be responsible for our resources,” he said. Aly Ercelawn of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), Professor Noman Ahmed, Jam Mohammad Buledi, MPA Balochistan Assembly, Adam Gandro, Keenjhar Fishermen Society and others addressed the seminar.

However, the resolutions adopted by the seminar said the deep-sea fishing trawlers had depleted 80 percent fisheries resources of Pakistan since 1982, which resulted in loss of livelihood of the local fishermen and small boat owners. Calling deep-sea fishing trawlers dangerous for the fisheries industry, the participants demanded complete ban and cancellation of licences of the deep-sea fishing trawlers.

The seminar said that the government should provide compensation to the local fishermen who had suffered after depletion of the fish resources and the marine pollution in the result of deep-sea fishing. Participants demanded the revenue earned through fines on illegal fishing and on violation of other marine laws should be spent for the welfare of the fishermen. The seminar noted that there was no sustainable fisheries policy in Pakistan and demanded that the government should introduce the policy after taking help through “sustainable fisheries policy” draft prepared by the PFF.