HUB, March 16: The Balochistan Coastal Development Authority (BCDA) has planned to build 10 new jetties along the provincial coast at a cost of Rs500 million.

According to reliable sources, the new jetties, when completed, are expected to end dependence on the Karachi Fish Harbour (KFH) for buying and selling seafood and providing marketing facilities right on the doorsteps of the local fishermen in remote parts of the province.

The new jetties will be built on Jiwani, Bandri, Gunz, Pishokan, Sur Bandar, Gwadar West Bay, Kalmat, Ormara West Bay, Ormara East Bay and Dam.

There are 35 fishing stations from Bundewari to Gwadar at the zero-mile with the Iranian Balochistan, where the BCDA initially plans to build 10 jetties.

Jetties are considered fit landing seafood in all weather, usually 10 months a year. In June and July, the spawning season, fish catch is banned along the entire coast of Balochistan to preserve the stock.

During the recent standoff between the provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan over the fishing rights, the BCDA planned a way out to end dependence on the KFH, where the fish catch of Balochistan are sold at better prices.

The BCDA plans to divert the resources of Omani grant of Rs100 million for the project, besides raising Rs150 million on its own. It will also request the provincial government to allocate Rs250 million for the project. Each jetty will cost around Rs50 million.

The jetties will be as good as a complete fish harbour extending same services and facilities to the fishermen, including protection of their fishing vessels in high tides and rough seasons normally witnessed in June and July.

Planners believe that the construction of 10 jetties along coast will open up the area for investment.