FISHERFOLK in Badin district have adopted a dangerous practice — trash fishing — to earn their livelihood. This is harmful to the environment.

Trash fishing is becoming common in the coastal area of the district. Locally, this type of fishing is called (Kitch). The practice has threatened the natural cycle of various local fish species.

On an average, coastal belt fishermen catch 1,500kg trash fish in a month. On an average five million kilos of trash fishing is landed each year from this area.

Keeping in mind, the trash fishing business is linked with the poultry industry (i.e. preparation of feed for the poultry) and, thus, trash fishing is increasing gradually with the rapid scale-up of the poultry business in the country.

It has also been recorded that around 6,410 metric tons fishing was done in 2010, which shows the extent of fishing business in the district.

The continuous trashing of fish seems to be an unlawful act by local people and a negligence of the authorities concerned.

An official from the fisheries department says that trash fishing has become a threat to fish species around the country. It must be stopped immediately to avoid the unavailability of fish species.

Shortage of large fishes in fresh water ponds, sea water, etc, is another cause of fish scarcity. Though the Sindh Fisheries Act, 1980, reveals that if any person is found involved in this type of crime, the department concerned will get him arrested for six months and he will pay a penalty of Rs10,000.

The local fisher folk are involved in this unlawful economic activity because they do not have any alternative source of livelihood. Provision of any alternate livelihood source will help in controlling this type of fishing and conserve the threatened fish species.

I would like to request the authorities concerned to improve their practice in order to save water species, including fish. Moreover, global welfare organisations should help the related departments in this regard.

Muhammad Abbas Khaskheli
Badin

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2014