KARACHI, June 27: The new fishing season commences from July 1 as the customary 60-day ban has been curtailed to 30 days (June 1 to 30) this year.

The ban on fishing has been relaxed by the government to provide economic relief to the fishermen community which has already been facing numerous other financial problems.

To mark the advent of the new season, a function will be held at Karachi Fish Harbour. Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar will be the chief guest.

Fishing remained banned for 60 days (June 1 to July 31) under the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980 to protect fish species during the period which has long been regarded as breeding season. The sea also remains rough and dangerous for fishermen during this period. However, the ordinance had been made applicable to the entire Sindh and cover sea as well as river waters prohibiting catching of Rohu, Mori, Thaila and Calbasu.

In 1982, the ordinance was amended to include certain shrimp species, like Kalri, Jira, kiddy and Pitas, in the ban list.

This ordinance could not implemented effectively in whole of the province. While the ban has been complied with partially at the harbour, it was grossly violated at different jetties and illegal landing sites along the Sindh coastline.

The fishermen and boat-owners, operating from KFH have always been expressing their reservations over the ordinance, terming it ‘discriminatory’ against them. “They ban serves no purpose but causes an unbearable loss to the fishermen community every year,” they maintain.

Realizing the community’s financial problems, the Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sardar Manzoor Panhwar, ordered a 30-day reduction in the ban period soon after taking charge of the KFH chairman.