• Fishermen demand complete ban on illegal trawling, wire nets
• Science-based fish season closure policy agreed
GWADAR: The Balochistan Assembly’s Standing Committee on Fisheries advanced consultations on the “Balochistan Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2026” on Monday, seeking stakeholder input on reforms aimed at modernising the fisheries sector.
The consultation was held in Gwadar, where lawmakers, government officials, fishermen and other stakeholders reviewed the draft legislation and discussed measures to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development.
The meeting was chaired by Standing Committee Chairman MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch. Members of the committee, including Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, MPA Abdul Majeed Badini and MPA Zafar Agha, attended the session.
The committee examined various aspects of the proposed legislation aimed at establishing an effective legal and administrative framework for the fisheries sector while ensuring the protection of fishermen’s interests and marine life.
The meeting marked the first time an official session of the Balochistan Assembly’s Standing Committee on Fisheries was held outside Quetta, representing a significant step towards directly involving coastal communities in legislative decision-making.
Participants were informed that multiple consultations had been conducted over the past two to two-and-a-half years with experts, fishermen and relevant institutions at various levels to prepare the draft bill.
During the session, local fishermen described illegal trawling, wire nets and other banned fishing gear as serious threats to marine ecosystems and the environment, calling for their complete elimination.
Participants also agreed on developing a scientifically backed “Fish Season Closure Policy” based on fish breeding cycles to ensure the sustainable protection of marine resources.
Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026
