06 February 2004	Friday	14 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 5: Fisheries officials have prepared a new policy for improving working conditions at the Karachi Fish Harbour and providing better facilities to the fishermen, it is learnt on Thursday.

According to vice-chairman of the Fishermen Cooperative Society, Abuzur Mariwara, the fisheries sector has made significant progress due to government's steps to enhance its production and exports.

He said a number of incentives would be provided to the fishermen by the federal and provincial governments for boosting the production of the sector.

Talking to Dawn, he said a new policy initiative had been formulated to protect interests of small-scale fishermen and raise foreign exchange earnings through export of fishery products.

According to official sources, these measures include strengthening of infrastructure, improvement of extension services, introduction of aquiculture techniques, diversification of fishing efforts, improvement in post-harvest techniques, development of value-added products, enhancement of per capital consumption and up-grade of socio-economic conditions of the fishermen.

Pakistan exported a reasonable quantity of shrimp and fish to Japan, USA, UK, Germany, Middle East and other countries, which contributed significantly to the national exchequer, the sources added.

Mr Abuzur lauded the role of Sindh Livestock and Fisheries Minister Sardar Manzoor Ali Panhwar for pleading the case of fishermen community at federal level.

He said fisheries sector not only played an important role in the country's economy but was also a source of livelihood, particularly for coastal inhabitants.

Apart from marine fishing, inland fishing (comprising rivers, lakes, ponds, dams etc.) was also very important source of animal proteins, he added.

He said according to the new policy incentives, the coastal towns of Sindh, including those in Karachi, would be developed, and due attention would be given to uplift works in these areas and to the welfare of fishermen.

The FCS representative also stated that the new policy would also focus on establishment of schools and hospitals, besides ensuring water, power supply and construction of roads in the areas inhabited by fishermen.

FINE NETS: The sources said a legislation regarding implementation of a ban on use of destructive nets was underway and it would be enforced at all costs.

According to the sources, the total number of persons engaged in fisheries sector is estimated at 395,000, out of which, 125,000 persons (31.6 per cent) are engaged in marine sector, while 270,000 (68.4 per cent) are engaged in inland fisheries.

Directive would be issued to financial institutions like ADBP and SBFC to extend soft loans to the small-scale fishermen, they added.

The Korangi Fish Harbour would be made fully operational and steps would be taken to provide necessary facilities, including transportation, availability of gas, security, storage and other infrastructure to the fishermen, the sources said.