KARACHI, Nov 22: The Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) has set the end of July 2003 as deadline for modifying the fish-hold (gala) of all boats and trawlers proceeding for fishing.
No port clearance would be issued to boats for fishing trip if they failed to modify their fish-hold by the deadline, said the chairman of the KFHA, Commodore Syed Tayyab Naqvi, while presiding over a meeting here on Friday.
The KFHA had launched a campaign for boat modification last year to upgrade the fishing trawlers and boats as well as the fish-hold to save the catch from damage and to increase the income of fishermen.
As many as 2,500 fishing boats and trawlers are registered with the KFHA. The Authority has been trying to persuade fishermen and owners of boats and trawlers to modify their fish-hold and insulate the lining of their boats.
The managing director of the KFHA, Abdul Waheed Pirzada, gave a detailed briefing about the modification programme, and said it would be completed in three phases.
In the first phase, all the boats and trawlers having a keel of 50 feet and above would be modified by January 31, 2003.
In the second phase, all boats and trawlers with a keel of 45-50 feet would be modified till April 30, 2003, and boats having a keel of 35-45 feet would undergo modification by July 31, 2003.
This regulation would also be applicable to boats and trawlers which are under repair or being built. These will not be allowed to sail without modification.
Mr Pirzada said no boat or trawler would be registered without modified fish-hold. He said modification of fish-hold took about six weeks and it cost Rs300,000, using poly-urethane and glass reinforced plastic.
He said the KFHA had made special arrangements for boat modification and the entire Ice Jetty had been reserved for this process where 10 boats at a time could be anchored. Pontoon No 1 could also be provided if the number of boats increased.
He added the KFHA had authorized six boat modifiers for undertaking this task. The KFHA has also requested the SME Bank and the ADBP to reduce markup on loan facility to fishermen for this purpose.
A committee has also been formed to oversee the entire boat modification programme and issue certificates to modified boats and trawlers.
He said the main purpose of the modification was to upgrade the fleet of fishing boats and trawlers to ensure hygienic conditions of the fish-hold and save the catch from damage.
This will increase the price of catch and save fishermen from losses. This would also increase the export of seafood. — APP
