March 23, 2006

Karachi’s once picturesque coastline stretches to around 960 kilometres and harbours thousands of fishermen. Probably the oldest vocation, fishing has been a part of this city ever since its inception.

Unfortunately, today, these fishermen are swamped with a number of problems, which are fast robbing them off their only source of livelihood. Particularly the fishermen of inland waters face severe hardships due to the lack of proper governmental polices and infrastructure, contract system, disorganised methods of buying and selling, low price of fish sold to investors, and the lack of proper storage system.

Apart from Badin, where the fisherfolk are now at liberty to sell their fish in the open market, most of them are facing the curse of contract systems. According to Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), under the system, the fishermen are forced to sell their catch to the thekaidars who buy it at a measly price and then sell it in the market for much higher returns.

When asked, a government source argued that the fishermen were not independent enough to sell directly and hence the contract system. A few years ago, contract system was lifted in the Sindh waters, giving a freehand to the fisherfolk. However, this resulted in more problems because the fishermen ‘overcaught’ the fish, leaving the waters barren, and ultimately hurting themselves. The PFF argues that since the water levels are going down to an alarming low rate now, and fish population is constantly decreasing, such a situation can hardly arise, and so they should once again be given a freehand.

Representatives from PFF also claim that the rate of fish has remained the same in the past two decades or so. Particularly in inland waters, the fisherman has to contend with many hands before he receives the final wage for his hard work. For example, motorboat owners lend their boats to fishermen, and in return charge 50 per cent of the catch. Similarly, investors locally known as beopari buy the fish as soon as it hits the land. The standard system of barter here is auction; the highest bidder gets the fish. Unfortunately, even then the amount earned by fisherfolk is far less than what they truly deserve.

The government has also introduced a license system. The PFF contends that since licenses need to be bought, it is indeed difficult for the fisherfolk to acquire them. They have demanded that licenses be given to them instead of the contractors and should be free of cost, so that the fishermen are able to move in the waters freely, and sell their catch directly in the market.

Another issue faced by the fisherfolk community –– both in marine and inland fishing ––– is the use of, destructive nets, locally called bholu gajju. These nets, with their minute holes, catch not only the big fish but trap the small, non-edible ones as well, which is later sent to factories for poultry feed. Such nets target entire generations of young fish, and as a result the fish population is dropping dramatically.

“The practice was first introduced by Bengali fishermen, and now the local fishermen have begun to imitate them, without realising the consequences,” says a PFF representative. This has a direct impact on the cost of fish; lesser catch means higher price since the fishermen and fishmongers have to cover their various expenses including transportation of fish to the market.

Destructive nets are often used in those areas where the marine animal life settles for breeding. The government has apparently put a ban on the use of these nets. However, like many other bans, this one is just as ineffective as it is constantly violated.

According to a report printed in 1984, Pakistan’s harbour was one of the dirtiest in the world. Things have changed since then, but sadly not for the better. Today, both Ibrahim Hyderi and Marine Fisheries is swarmed by insects, garbage and other unhygienic waste. While on the one hand this makes the fish unfit for consumption, on the other, the fishermen also face problems in the storage of their catch. As it is, there is no proper infrastructure at Ibrahim Hyderi, where the fish is taken by the beopaaris in jute baskets.

The PFF also complains that the living conditions of fishermen are in a deplorable state. One of the oldest communities to inhabit the city, fisherfolk happen to be the most neglected. Living close to the sea for convenience purpose — and in the case of fresh waters, living in groups forming small villages — these people dwell way below the poverty line lacking even the most basic necessities of everyday life. In areas like the Badin coast, small children cover long distances on donkeys to fetch drinking water.

The government insists that gradual changes are taking place. “Until a few years ago, there was only one fish harbour, Ibrahim Hyderi,” says a government official, “but today there are five of them.” He cites the example of Makran coast, which has recently been connected to Karachi and claims that it is a step in the right direction. “Changes will come, but with time,” he asserts.

If urgent measures are not taken to improve the conditions of inland and marine fishermen, their state will become worse which in turn would affect the fishing industry. With fresh government intervention on the horizon, one hopes to see a better system of fishing in the future. n –– S.R.

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