March 08, 2007	Thursday	Safar 18, 1428

KARACHI, March 7: Confusion prevailed in fisheries sector over reports that the EU is likely to impose a ban on import of seafood from Pakistan.

When contacted a director of Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) said, “We are concerned about reports, but we have not received any official word from any government body.”

However, fisheries sources revealed that some exporters had received information from their buyers in different EU countries that their respective governments have directed them not to book new seafood consignments from Pakistan as some of the exporters there may be de-listed.

Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamote, a senior FCS director, condemned the federally controlled Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), which is responsible for issuing NOCs to the processing units for export purposes for enforcing a self-styled ban on certain units.

He categorically stated that the society had not received any official word so far and the MFD was acting on its own by shifting blame on others.Expressing concern over prevailing conditions in the Karachi Fish Harbour, Mr Jamote said the affairs of the FCS were being controlled by the government nominated directors representing a particular party, while the role of elected directors had been made ineffective.

He said whenever the affairs of the harbour were handed over to political figures, the situation got worsen. He pointed out that after the departure of naval personnel from the harbour, the situation was turning from bad to worse.

It is further learnt that the government has opted for a pre-emptive move and the federal government is planning to introduce more reforms in fisheries sector to improve the quality of seafood to meet the EU requirements.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Fisheries department has called a meeting of the stakeholders on Thursday to discuss the situation.