QUETTA: A meeting held here on Tuesday discussed measures for stopping illegal fishing by foreign trawlers in the coast of Makran.

Presided over by Balochistan Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana, the meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Home Arshad Majeed, Finance Secretary Abdul Rehman Buzdar, Fisheries Secretary Babar Khan, the DG Fisheries and other officials.

The meeting was informed that the fisheries department was facing difficulties in stopping illegal fishing in Balochistan waters due to lack of manpower and speedy patrolling boats.

The fisheries department officials, however, said that despite facing difficulties the department was taking effective measures against illegal trawlers and boats which entered Balochistan waters for fishing.

Chief Secretary Rana said that the agencies concerned should take strict action against illegal trawlers and unregistered boats coming for fishing at Makran coast.

According to him, illegal fishing trawlers are not only depriving local fishermen of their rights, but also damaging the marine life and Balochistan’s resources.

Mr Rana directed the fisheries department to improve its capacity to curb illegal fishing in Balochistan waters, saying the provincial government would extend all possible cooperation to it in this regard.

The meeting was informed that a vessel monitoring system would be installed on boats and all local fishermen would be asked to ensure registration of their boats.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2021