KARACHI: Fish processing industry (exporters) and local fishermen have locked horns against the federal government which has invited applications for issuance of licences to deep-sea fishing trawlers for operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), a federal government department, plans to issue 100 licences for various fishing vessels in the EZZ between 20-200 nautical miles.

According to the break up, the government aims to issue 25 licences for Tuna Longliners fishing vessels of up to 350 gross tonnage (GT), followed by 25 licences for Tuna Longliners from 351-1,000 GT. MFD will issue 30 licences Stern Trawlers (Single Boat Pelagic/Midwater Trawling) up to 350 GT, 15 licences for Squid Jiggers up to 350 GT and five licences for Tuna Purse Seiners up to 700 GT.

Also read: Fishermen demand cancellation of deep-sea fishing trawlers licences

Chairman Pak Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA), Muslim Mohammadi, while strongly condemning the move, expressed surprise on inviting deep-sea trawlers when MFD and Food and Agriculture Organisation has already undertaken a project called ‘Fishing Resources Assessment Project’ which warned of depleting fish stocks.

He claimed that fish and shrimp landing has already dropped to 40 per cent as compared to 90-100pc three years back.

“The situation of raw materials is already miserable and if these trawlers are allowed fishing in our waters then the stocks would further deplete thus turning fish processing plants into sick units,” he said.

Mohammadi said the government should promote local fishing industry rather than destroying it through any policy.

MFD and Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) have jointly defended the decision saying the Korangi Fish Harbour was primarily developed to promote deep-sea fishing beyond territorial waters (from 12 up to 200 nautical miles referred as EEZ, the water area measuring about 240,000 square kilometre) which falls under the federal jurisdiction.

To protect the interest of local fishermen, a buffer zone from 12 to 20 nautical miles has been created where no foreign fishing vessel under joint venture with Pakistani nationals can operate.

In 2006, only one deep-sea trawler arrived but left. Since 2006 no licence under Deep-sea Fishing Policy was issued by the government mainly because of the lack of interest of foreign operators.

The MFD had also invited applications in January 2015 but no deep-sea trawler owners showed any serious interest.

The department said that for the last 10 years, no fishing licence was granted by the federal government. The fish stock depleted at rapid pace due to use of illegal fishing gears in creeks which are the breeding area for fish and shrimp, the department maintained.

MFD said there is no control on the mesh size of the nets of local fishing trawlers. “Due to use of fine nets, about 80pc of the fish catch is comprised of juveniles of fish and shrimp. At present about 2,300 trawlers which were previously operating in coastal areas are operating in far deeper waters, therefore, fish stock of coastal waters has already been over exploited by the local fleet,” MFD added.

The department said five Pakistani firms have applied for the grant of licences. The applications are under scrutiny by a sub-committee, constituted by Ministry of Ports and Shipping. However prior to issuance of licences, one applicant has brought six fishing trawlers on December 18 at their own risk and cost and has been allowed conditional berthing at Korangi Fish Harbour.

Under the policy, these trawlers if granted licences will have to use nets having a minimum mesh size of 90mm at cod end whereas the nets being used by local fishermen are so thin it cannot allow escape to juveniles. These vessels will be fitted with satellite base tracking system to monitor their activities/ movement by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency round the clock.

MFD said the government is committed to protect the interest of poor fishermen while taking steps to enhance the export of fish and fishery products.

On Wednesday, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) staged sit-in against issuance of licences to foreign deep sea fishing trawlers of China in front of Korangi Fisheries Harbour. Chairman PFF Mohammad Ali Shah said the fish stock has already shrunk due to over fishing and increasing marine pollution and these deep sea trawlers would further cause destruction.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2015