KARACHI: After lifting of ban on two seafood exporters, the names of five more traders have been forwarded to the European Union (EU), Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael said on Wednesday.

Talking to newsmen at the Fishermen’s Co-operative Society (FCS), he said a regional office of Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) is also being set up at Gwadar in July at an estimated cost of Rs46 million.

The regional office would have lab facility for issuing certificates to seafood exporters on ascertaining quality and standard, he said. At present, the exporters have to come to Karachi for the purpose, he added.

On a question about dredging, Michael said that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) would undertake the dredging job of the Karachi Fish Harbour.

When his attention was drawn towards lack of value-addition in the sector, the minister said two plants are operational in Karachi, but admitted that there is a need for more in Karachi and Gwadar.

Promising to break the hold of cartel responsible for fishermen’s exploitation, he said the Centre has approached the Sindh government for implementing laws and protecting the interest of fishermen who are being exploited by a small group of vested interest.

Referring to ‘Gujjo net’ being used for fishing, the minister said both the federal and provincial governments are on the same page to ban the net which sweeps small fish and results in huge loss to the marine life. “They agreed that only 55mm nets should be used so that small fish and eggs are not netted.”

The minister disclosed that another ship carrying seafood left Gwadar port to Jebel Ali, Dubai, last week.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

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