QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to introduce a vessel monitoring system in the province to ensure safety of marine life, fisheries and fishermen in a fixed amount.

Officials said that for the first time in Pakistan the Balochistan government had decided to implement the international policy of monitoring fishing boats having the size larger than 15 metres in the province and install vessel monitoring systems in such boats.

Fishing boats will be helped to comply with environmental and fishing laws as well as promote conservation of rare marine life under a modern monitoring system at a command and control centre in Gwadar. Construction will be carried out to monitor boats as well as help fishermen to stay within legal limits and not to cross the country marine borders.

The Command and Control Centre will be set up in case of any emergency or accident under the automated system.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2020