KARACHI, July 2: Provincial Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Manzoor Ali Panhwar has called for a ban on deep-sea fishing trawlers in order to promote fisheries sector in the country.

Addressing a large number of fishermen on Tuesday at Karachi Fish Harbour on the eve of a new fishing season after one month’s catching restriction he said that fish landing at Karachi harbour had decreased due to deep-sea fishing trawlers.

To avert the situation ban on trawlers was essential, he said.

Mr Panhwar said that he would take up the matter with the federal government in a meeting to be held in Islamabad on July 12.

On the issue of illegal nets he said that government could not take a stern action against the use of illegal nets in creaks in the absence of constitutional backing. However, he added, an ordinance was in final stages of promulgation in Governor’s office.

He added that Rs7.7 lakh compensation amount had been distributed among families of 54 fishermen who had died in different accidents.—PPI