01 June 2004	Tuesday	12 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, May 31: The mandatory ban on fishing imposed during the June-July period every year to protect the juvenile fish species is aimed at safeguarding the interests of the small fishermen.

This was stated by provincial Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sardar Manzoor Ali Panhwar while talking to Dawn here on Monday before leaving for Islamabad. The minister observed that the fisheries sector could not survive without protecting the seafood stock, therefore, the ban appeared vital to preserve the sea resources.

Criticizing those who were raising a hue and cry over the ban, the minister said the matter was not a real issue. In fact, he added, the vested interests after failing in creating unrest over the issue of employment in the Fishermen Cooperative Society had now been exploiting workers by trying to make the ban an issue.

"Why had not they been taking up the matter in the past?" he contended. Mr Panhwar also dispelled the impression that the ban had been causing economic hardships to small fishermen.

The elements involved in manipulating non-issues in furtherance of their own interests wanted to create anarchy and unrest among fishermen to make political mileage, he deplored, and warned that they would not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs.

The government would continue its efforts towards fishermen's welfare, he pledged. Refusing to get the traditional ban withdrawn, the minister said the ban was mandatory and lawful being enforced for the June-July period, declared breeding season, since 1980.

However, considering economic hardship caused to fishermen and boat-operators due to other reasons, the government sometimes relaxed the ban, he added. Mr Panhwar, disagreeing that the ban adversely affected fishermen community, said: "Rather, it was beneficial to them as it results in better catch and ultimately gives a boost to their income."

For the first time in the history of fishing sector, a relief package is being prepared in consultation with stake-holders to provide financial assistance to poor fishermen during the ban period, the minister disclosed.

He said he believed in dialogue and wanted to resolve all problems through negotiations with stake-holders in the fisheries sector. It may be mentioned that the seasonal ban on fishing - from June 1 to July 31 - has become a bone of contention between trawler operators and fisheries officials.

It is learnt that a group of fishermen was striving to forward the ban schedule to July 10-August 5 this year. The matter has already been discussed in a meeting with the fisheries minister.

However, the rival group, of trawler operators, have threatened to launch a campaign if the schedule was changed. The FCS vice-chairman Abuzar Mariwala, commenting on the situation, said: "We are in touch with all stake-holders to seek their views on the issue. We hope the situation would become clear in a couple of days."

Meanwhile, An FCS press release had claimed: "A conspiracy is being hatched to unseat Sardar Manzoor Ali Panhwar as the chairman of the society." Recounting the services rendered by Mr Panhwar for the welfare of fishermen, the press release said: "A group of people are trying to create unrest among the FCS employees."

POSTPONED: The sit-in announced by local fishermen for Tuesday in front of the chairman's secretariat at the fish harbour has been postponed owing to the violence in the city. Head of the Shamspir Fishermen Jamaat, Haji Yunus, who is also a director of the FCS, said that the future course of action would be announced soon.