Karachi:
The Sindh Government has prematurely lifted its annual fishing ban on coastal and freshwater organs, which was originally set to end on August 1st. The ban has been lifted from July 1 without any official explanation from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, who issued the message.
According to Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980, a two-month ban is introduced each year during June and July to allow for the natural breeding cycle of shrimp and fish. The ban plays an important role in the protection of marine life and future fishing lines. Wildlife and marine experts have expressed serious concerns about the environmental and financial consequences of ending the ban too early.
According to WWF-Pakistan’s technical adviser, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Pakistan’s shrimp production has already seen a steep fall from 27,000 tonnes by 2020 to only 17,400 tonnes by 2024. “Unfortunately, in Sindh, even the two -month ban was not allowed to mature,” he said.
Khan warned that although the decision may be justified in the name of supporting the fishermen’s livelihood, the long -term result will be depletion of marine resources, which ultimately harms the same societies.
Fisher people -Representative Abdul Majeed Motani also opposed the early abolition of the ban and said it was influenced by a powerful political figure in the Sindh government, not of genuine concern for the fishing community. He added that fishing this season is dangerous due to rough marine conditions and claimed to have formally raised the problem of the common maritime information and coordination center and warned them about the risk of both sea life and fishermen.
Meanwhile, the Federal Marine Fisheries Department has also expressed an alarm over the decision to end the ban early. The Director of the Department, Dr. Mansoor Wassan, stated that lifting the ban will speed up the decline of fish and shrimp stocks early, which negatively affects Pakistan’s seafood exports.
Kazim Jatoi, for an explanation, was unanswered unanswered. Calls and WhatsApp messages sent to his official number also received no answer.
