KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a notice to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs seeking replies of deep-sea fishing and issuing licenses to foreigners.
The high court refused to issue a stay order on banning licenses to foreign vessels. During the hearing, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that it was a policy issue and the court would not interfere in the matter. The court sought a detailed reply from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and other respondents by December 23.
The complainant had submitted a plea calling for the formation of a commission headed by a judge and imposing a ban on deep-sea fishing by foreign vessels.
Commissioner Fisherman Maritime briefed the court on the issuance of licenses. He informed the court that the government has conducted a survey in collaboration with the United Nations on the fish and marine population. The survey revealed that rampant fishing which can ruin the entire fishing sector if it continues unabated.
He said the registered fishing boats and deep-sea trawlers are being used for fishing and tracking devices should be placed on him. He said unskilled fishermen are destroying the fishing sector and required proper training.
He added The Singh government has a key role in the protection of marine ecosystem and devices should be placed in fishing trawlers to locate sea turtles. He said the United States had banned exports of crabs from Pakistan and there is a need to improve the fish harbour.
He further said the European Union has banned seafood export due to the dismal condition of the fish harbour. He said the number of fishing vessels should be reduced and rampant fishing should be curtailed. He added that law and order situation should be improved in Korangi Fish Habour Society. He further said the monitoring of fishing vessels should be improved and the federal and Sindh government should resolve the issues faced by fishermen at the habour.
