16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 15: The government, following widespread complaints, has taken a serious note of the use of fine nets in fishing which are regarded as detrimental to juvenile fish species.

It is learnt that the government would soon make necessary legislation to completely ban the destructive nets in order to protect coastal resources from further destruction.

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Sardar Manzoor Panhwar had earlier hinted that a law to curb use of soft nets, generally used by fishermen in the coastal areas of Sindh, was in the offing.

Though a ban had been imposed by the provincial government through an ordinance, it had a little impact because of the absence of any effective law, according to sources.

On their part, local fishermen have always been accusing illegal immigrants of violating the ban with the connivance of influential figures who, they believe, have been providing shelter and protection to these people in some specific areas along the Sindh coast.

The fishermen claim that the influential figures exploit the immigrants by taking away more than 50 per cent of their catch or by purchasing their catch at 50 per cent less than the market rates.

The local fishing communities allege that the dangerous and destructive fishing nets like bullo and gujjo were first introduced in the coastal area by Bengali-speaking illegal immigrants.

According to them, the harmful nets uproot and completely destroy fish habitats in creeks. A survey shows that hundreds of illegal immigrants who have taken refuge in the coastal belt of Sindh are mainly engaged in fishing sector.

Interviews with various sources in the sector suggest that illegal immigrants are recruited by sea lords, controlling the fishing business in certain localities, as labourers on launches on meagre remuneration.

The sea lords, according to the sources, have built small huts where they accommodate the illegal immigrants and charge monthly rent. The huts are guarded by armed men employed by the lords. No police or other such agency have access to these areas, the sources claim.

The inhabitants of these huts live in subhuman conditions as no basic facilities are made available to them, some of those interviewed revealed. They are neither recognized as permanent residents nor issued any work permits. According to official sources, there are about one million illegal immigrants at present living in Karachi.