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KARACHI: Resenting the delay in issuance of fishing licences, the Chinese Consulate General in Karachi has reminded the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) of six Chinese deep sea fishing trawlers arrival late last year.
Commercial Counsellor Wang Zhihua commended the support extended to China-Pakistan fishery cooperation project wherein 14 stern trawlers were issued letter of intent (LoI) last year.
The six Chinese fishing trawlers (stern), owned by Guangdong Ruishun Pelagic Fishery Company, reached Korangi Fish Harbour (KFH) in December last year. He drew the attention of MFD to the situation of 54 Chinese fishermen deputed and the financial loss being incurred by the owners of these vessels.
The envoy pointed out that the said fishing vessels have met all the official requirements as laid down by MFD and the Ministry of Ports and Shipping for fishing rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan.
The commercial counsellor hoped that fishing cooperation will lead to deals in aquatic products processing and breeding technology.
The local partner of Chinese fishing company, Captain M. Asad Iqbal Gill of Cosmic Resources (Pvt) Ltd, told Dawn that MFD in November last year invited applications for licence for deep sea fishing in EEZ .
He said he initiated collaboration with Chinese fishing company as expertise in deep sea fishing was not available locally and struck a deal to engage 14 trawlers as per the terms and conditions laid down by MFD.
He added said that there has been no deep sea fishing since 2005 because of a ban imposed by the Chinese government for the last 10 years for security reasons. Mr Gill suspected vested interest for the delay.
Deep Sea Fishing Policy 1995, amended in 2009, allows foreign trawlers fishing in Pakistan’s EEZ, but obligates operators to also engage Pakistanis as crew members so that they could be trained in deep sea fishing.
Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2016
