ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: About two million fishermen were on strike against issuance of deep-sea fishing licences to large trawlers, said the Pakistan Network of Rivers, Dams and People (PNRDP) coordinating officer, Mushtaq Geti, on Wednesday.

The strike has been called by the World Forum of Fisher People.

The PNRDP demanded of the government to withdraw its decision of issuing licences to large fishing trawlers, Mr Geti said during a news conference.

He said under these licences, the trawlers would be able to fish in the 12-mile seaboard of the country.

He said the fishermen were protesting against corporate fishing, use of trawlers and large nets that resulted in the degradation of marine ecology.

Two million fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan would lose their livelihood if the current policy continued, Mr Heti feared.

The policy, he said, allowed licences for corporate fishing firms, including those from Japan and Korea, to fish within 12 nautical miles of Pakistan waters. He said the government considered it a foreign policy issue and not gave importance to environmental depravation.

The PNRDP coordinating officer said the decision was taken by the government despite protests by the fishermen.

These trawlers not only deprive the fishermen of their livelihood, but, also damage the eco-balance of the sea, Mr Geti said.

He denied that the government issued licences to deep sea trawlers because the fishermen could not go beyond 12 nautical miles. He said many local fishermen did cross the 12-nautical mile limit, but, they were handicapped because of the big two mile-long net used by large trawlers.

He pointed out that the fisherfolk’s protest was worldwide, and aimed at the WTO policies that continued to marginalize fishermen in favour of corporate firms.

Mr Geti maintained that the fishing communities should be provided education and other social services like other citizens.

Talking to Dawn from Karachi on telephone, President of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Mohammad Ali Shah said the strike was successful in many areas, including K.T. Bunder, Ibrahim Hyderi, Baba Bit Island, Hawke’s Bay and Rehri Goth as well as in Balochistan Dam and Lasbela.

The response from the fishermen was overwhelming and no boats went out to sea. These boats also hoisted black flags.

Mr Shah said 70 per cent of the fish resources were manipulated by the trawlers, that brought to the fore the problem of unemployment.

He hoped that the strike would attract the government’s attention, which would take steps for the welfare of the fisherfolk community.