KARACHI, Feb 28: The controversy over deep-sea fishing policy has resurfaced with more intensity as small fishermen have come out with strong condemnation of the zoning system and continued devastation being caused to sea resources by foreign trawlers.

They have called for an immediate, complete and effective ban on deep-sea fishing.

The military government had earlier imposed a ban on deep fishing, but lifted it later only to introduce zoning system under which the national territorial waters were divided in zones for different categories of fishermen and trawler operators.

Small fishermen of Sindh and Balochistan had rejected the system and opposed permission for fishing to big trawlers operators altogether.

They were of the view that these 'factory ships' had always decimated the precious fish species and caused heavy damage to the marine resources.

A survey conducted recently by local NGOs committed to promoting the cause of small fishermen, concludes that a large number of small fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan favour a total ban on deep-sea fishing.

Similar views had also been expressed by fisheries ministers of the two provinces at a seminar held recently in Karachi.

The seminar, held under the auspices of a local NGO, had recommended to the federal government that zoning system for deep-sea fishing be abolished and the licences issued to big trawlers cancelled.

Instead of enforcing deep-sea fishing policy, a more comprehensive development policy for fishing sector be prepared in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, mainly the fisher folk community, the NGO had proposed.

According to an assessment by the organization, the deep-sea policy based on zoning system is causing tremendous loss to the livelihood of small fishermen and damage to the marine resources of the country.

The operators of deep-sea trawlers are in favour of zoning system. They are of the view that the zoning system has clearly designated the fishing zone of small fishermen who always operate wooden boats which can hardly sail beyond eight to 10 nautical miles.

But the deep-sea trawlers, mostly operating in high seas, have always been accused of transgressing into the zone reserved for fishermen of other categories.

The NGO study, based on interviews with small fishermen and a visit of there villages, shows that coastal economy, a major source of livelihood for millions of small fishermen, is heading toward a collapse due to overfishing.

The survey indicates that, at present, the fish-catch of the local fishermen has been dwindling to an alarming stage. Official sources also confirm the sharp decline in the catch and landing of fish.

An old fisherman, engaged in fishing profession for generations, remarked that "the urge of extracting more and more resources from the coastal waters and earn more and more foreign exchange by exacerbating exports, is proving disastrous."

He suggested that the issue of deep-sea fishing be taken up at higher forums and the policy-makers must take it seriously now, otherwise there would be no way out to ensure even survival of millions of the fisherfolk people.

He also suggested that a complete ban be imposed on soft nets which were frequently being used in creeks and had become a major factor in overfishing, thus causing irreparable damage to the coastal economy.