July 03, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 28, 1429

KARACHI, July 2: The curtailed ban on fishing came into effect on July 1 with the government issuing a strict warning to fishermen against violating the ban.

With the ban coming into effect, about 17,000 registered boats have stopped operating in the province. The ban is imposed under the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance-1980.

Originally, the ban is imposed for two months (June and July) as the period is considered to be breeding season. However, the government has curtailed the period to one month as demanded by fishermen community which has already been under serious strains for years due to various factors leading to shrinking marine resources and ultimately affecting livelihood of small fishermen.

The one-month exemption allowed by the government provided considerable relief to fishermen, who have been asked not to fish during the month of July.

An order issued on Wednesday warned that anyone found indulged fishing in July would be regarded as an offender and dealt with accordingly. Offenders could be made to pay fine, it said.

The relief given to the fishermen is being criticised by experts in fisheries sectors who believe that the breeding season is spread over two months i.e. June and July, therefore, the seasonal ban should be effective for two months on a permanent basis.

They argue that it is essential to stop fishing at every level for two months to facilitate breeding and normal growth of fish and shrimps in the creeks, besides ensuring protection to aqua-culture. They stress that the ban is very much in the interest of fishermen who will be able to get a better catch for the whole year in lieu of a two-month break.

The fishermen community disputes this and argues that small fishermen depend on their daily catch or a few-days-trip catch and due to their limited earnings, they cannot afford sitting idle for two months. They also question a justification for the ban after allowing deep-sea fishing by foreign trawlers, pointing out that their operation virtually leaves nothing in the sea for the local fishermen to catch.

The fishermen community’s persisting demand forced the government to curtail the ban period to mitigate the sufferings of thousands of small fishermen earning their livelihood through the 350-km provincial coastline. The fishermen are also demanding a stipend of Rs5,000 per month for the head of the family.