KARACHI, Feb 6: Sindh minister for livestock and fisheries Manzoor Ali Panhwar said on Thursday that the government wanted to discourage the use of prohibited fishing nets in the province to save fish, shrimp and other marine species.

Speaking at a briefing of the Fishermen Cooperative Society at the Karachi Fish Harbour, he said the fisheries department had moved a summary for increasing fine to Rs100,000 and three-year imprisonment on use of prohibited fishing nets, including gujjo, katra and bhola.

He said after an approval by the Sindh chief minister, the draft would be submitted to the Sindh Assembly for an approval.

The minister said the Sindh government had been working on a plan to create a force which would patrol in coastal areas and check the use of prohibited fishing nets.

He was of the view that the use of these nets had eliminated seed, premature fish, shrimps and other marine species in the coastal areas.

“Although the law prohibiting the use of these illegal nets is there, its enforcement is lacking. This has encouraged people to use these nets”, he said.

The minister said he would take up the suggestions of the FCS with the Sindh chief minister and the PM.

Referring to complaints against deep-sea fishing by trawlers within 15 miles, he said the issue would be taken up with the federal government.

Similarly, he said that the matter of pollution at the fish harbour channel would be taken with the city government and the environmental protection department and other concerned agencies for cleaning of the channel.

Referring to the demand for resolving the fishing dispute between Sindh and Balochistan fishermen, the minister said he would request the two chief ministers and approach the prime minister to resolve the matter on a permanent basis.

Mr Panhwar said since land of Karachi harbour belonged to the Sindh government, it should get revenue from fisheries.

He also went round various facilities at the Karachi Fish Harbour, including chiller, jetty, flake ice plant, auction hall, and planted a sapling at the KFHA office, besides visiting seafood processing factory.

Earlier, the FCS chairman, Commodore Tayyeb Naqvi spoke about working of the society and its contribution towards increasing seafood export. He said that the society was spending a huge amount for maintaining cleanliness and development of Karachi Fish Harbour, welfare of fishermen, life insurance scheme.

He said the income of the FCS had increased from Rs 31 million in 1999 to Rs 140 million in the year 2002.

FCS vice chairman Haji Shafi Jamote, managing director and other directors were also present.—APP/PPI