September 1, 2005	Thursday	Rajab 26, 1426

KARACHI, Aug 31: A large number of fishermen from coastal villages of the city on Wednesday marched from Fountain Chowk near the Governor House’s to Karachi Press Club under the auspices of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) in protest against non-implementation of the ban on use of fine and other destructive nets.

Led by PFF General Secretary Saeed Baloch, President of the forum’s Karachi chapter Majeed Motani, and other leaders Khuda Ganj Shaad, Ayoub Khaskheli and Tahira Ali, the demonstrators raised slogans in support of their demands and staged a sit-in outside the KPC.

They were carrying placards and banners in their hands, and demanding effective enforcement of the ban on use of Bullo, Gujjo and wire nets by defiant fishermen.

Speaking on the occasion, the PFF leaders pointed out that such nets were being used in the coastal belt from Hawkesbay to Mubarak Village, only to destroy fish stocks by eliminating juvenile fish. This, they said, resulted in heavy losses to small fishermen.

They recalled that the Sindh Assembly had already passed a bill imposing complete ban on use of destructive nets, and regretted that the same had never been implemented. They claimed that certain fisheries department officials, in connivance with the ‘wire-net mafia’ were playing havoc with fish and fishing.

If action is not taken against in this regard, fishermen community would extend their protest campaign to the entire coastal belt, they warned.

Those who participated in the march came from Abdullah Goth, Abdul Rehman Goth, Soomar Goth, Deh Allah Bano, Deh Man, Deh Mandiari, Sanghu Goth, Mubarak Village, Ibrahim Haidery, Rehri, Chashma Goth and other parts of the coastal areas. — PPI

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