KARACHI, June 2: The implementation of the deep-sea fishing policy and mechanism of making the Korangi Fish Harbour (KFH) operational are two main issues which are likely to dominate the meeting of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) being held here on Monday.

According to fisheries sources, the meeting will not only review the progress of the deep-sea fishing policy but it will also consider the installation of Vessel Monitoring System on-board and the base stations.

It is learnt that contentious issues such as issuance of fishing licences for Zone-II and Zone-III, and matters pertaining to operations of the KFH for deep-sea fishing purposes would also come under discussion.

The Board meeting will also review the decisions of the seventh meeting of the NFDB regarding development projects pertaining to the revival of navigational aid system and for the procurement of a surveillance pilot boat for the operationalization of the KFH.

The KFH, a multimillion project of the federal government, meant for deep- sea fishing purposes, was established under an ordinance in 1982 and completed in 1996 for exploiting vast fish resources beyond the territorial waters (beyond 12 nautical miles).

But it remained inoperational for deep-sea trawlers. As a result, the project became an extra financial burden on the national exchequer.

A proposal had been made to shift around 500 fishing boats from the Karachi Fish Harbour to the KFH, but the suggestion has not been implemented so far.

A suggestion had also been made to hand over the KFH to the Sindh government, but so far no decision has been made in this regard.

The federal government has recently shown keen interest in the revival of the project and operationalization of the KFH by allowing 30 medium-sized trawlers to operate beyond 12 nautical miles, a zone exclusively marked for the purpose.