Daily Times

KARACHI: As many as 43 fish catchers, who went to open sea to catch fish despite ban on fishing, have not returned yet to the harbour, posing a serious threat to the fish industry, it is learnt. The Maritime Security Agency (MSA), while pointing out the missing of 43 fishermen, has recommended that the fishing licenses of these violators should be cancelled and punitive actions should be launched against them, sources told Daily Times. The Sindh Fisheries Department used to impose ban on all kinds of fishing in sea for a period of two month like June and July to encourage the production of fish species, as all the fishing boats and fishermen returned to their harbours before May 31.

However, in this case, the fishing trawlers owned by influential fishermen did not bother to return and they are yet in sea, catching and selling fish at Gawadar area, sources said.

In this regard, Maritime Security Agency Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Wajid Nawaz forwarded a letter to Karachi Fish Harbour Authority managing director informing about the violation of banned season by fishing trawlers. “With regard to reference B, fishing trawlers were to return from sea on May 31, 2016 due to expiry of port clearance. However, scrutiny of record shows violation by few trawlers (PC),” said a letter exclusively available with Daily Times. “In view of aforesaid, it is recommended that punitive action like cancellation of fishing permits of violators which may be taken under intimation to this office”, the letter added.