KARACHI, March 19: The officials of the Sindh and Balochistan governments discussed a number of contentious issues over fishing and decided to form a committee to probe the incident of firing in which a fisherman of Sindh was killed a few weeks back.
The meeting also discussed the complaints of Karachi-based trawler owners against the officials of Balochistan fisheries regarding their negative attitude towards Sindh fishermen.
It also discussed the levy of licence fee on Karachi-based fishing vessels by the Balochistan Coast Development Authority (BCDA) in September last.
The meeting was attended by the secretary of the Sindh fisheries department, additional secretary fisheries (technical), chairman of Fishermen Cooperative Society, director (operations), Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority, chairman, Sindh Trawler Owners and Fishermen Association (STOFA) and an FCS director. The Balochistan government was represented by secretary fisheries, director-general of Balochistan Coastal Development Authority and other officials.
It is learnt that the representatives of Fishermen Cooperative Society and other officials, termed the existing monthly trawling fee of Rs30,000 as highly exorbitant, demanding that a half yearly fee of Rs60,000 be instead imposed.
Surprisingly, in the debate on firing incident, the BCDA officials defended the action on the pretext that it was a “self-defence measure” on the part of the people, saying none of the government functionary was involved in it. The statement sparked controversy and heated arguments took place.
However, the representatives of FCS and some other officials rejected the claim of the Balochistan officials, saying that nobody could justify the killing of a person.
Sources admitted that the meeting could not progress on any issue and failed to reach an understanding as the representatives of Balochistan were sticking to their point and were repeatedly blaming the Karachi fishermen for illegal fishing.
After a heated discussion, the meeting constituted a three-member committee comprising officials of both the provinces to investigate the causes of the firing. The committee was asked to complete its investigation within 15 days.
A representative of Karachi also proposed a joint patrolling in Mekran coast for checking illegal activities.
An FCS official stated that the situation could not be normalized unless culprits involved in the firing incident were taken to task. It surprised the participants of the meeting when one of the officials of Balochistan told the meeting that his three vessels, along with others, had been seized by the authorities in Karachi.
The meeting was informed that the Balochistan vessels were not allowed to land their fish-catch at Karachi Harbour because of the tense situation and these were kept in safe custody for security reasons.
Talking to Dawn, STOFA representative Tahir Dada said it was the first meeting and hoped that all outstanding issues would be resolved if such meetings were held in future also.
D-G Balochistan Coastal Development Authority informed that they were planning to install an electronic system in three months which would ensure proper monitoring of trawlers. In case of any violation or entry in prohibited waters, timely warning can be given along with guidelines for adoption of proper route.
According to APP, the following decisions were taken:
The concerned authorities of Government of Balochistan will immediately ensure the arrest of the culprits involved in the incident in pursuance of an already lodged FIR.
The three-member enquiry committee, to probe the incident, will have Commander Javed Ahmed, Director Operations, and Fisheries Harbour Authority, as representative of the Sindh government.
The fishermen of Sindh will carry out fishing in the authorised zones, which extends up to about 450 kms along the Balochistan Coast. The Balochistan Coastal Development Authority will, however, allow the trawlers from Sindh right of way even in prohibited zones.
The Sindh government recommended that the license fee imposed by the Government of Balochistan be charged on six monthly basis with the proposed rates of Rs 100 for winch trawlers and Rs 60,000 for ordinary trawlers, in place of present monthly rates of Rs 50,000 for winch trawler and Rs 30,000 for ordinary trawlers.
The representatives of Balochistan agreed to place the proposals before the competent authority in the government of Balochistan for an approval within 15 days.
The surveillance and monitoring duties were proposed to be assigned to a neutral agency, that is, Maritime Security Agency (MSA) instead of Balochistan Levies. The matter will be taken up by the Balochistan government with the Federal government. Alternatively, electronic system will be installed so that entry in prohibited waters is immediately conveyed to the fishermen to enable them to adopt corrective course.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government, as a good will gesture, agreed to lift the ban immediately on landing of catch from Balochistan, which was imposed on March 11.
