KARACHI: The federal government will cancel licences of all the units using small fish in manufacturing of chicken feed. The Sindh government has been directed to crack down on such factories.

In this connection a consensus was reached in a recent meeting held between the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael and Provincial Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Jam Khan Shoro.

Both sides also agreed to launch a crackdown against fishermen using ‘Gujjo’ net, which is depleting the marine life at a face pace. The banned net traps small fish and eggs used by processing units in making chicken feed.

Read: Inside Pakistan’s untapped fishing industry

The Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) has been directed to only allow use of nets of 55mm for catching fish and 25mm nets for shrimps.

Fishing by trawlers has been banned with the mutual consent of both provincial and federal governments and it was decided to activate the Marine Security Agency (MSA) to control the menace.

The federal minister stressed upon the need for implementing laws and controlling of illegal fishing in sea channels and creeks where ‘Gujjo’ net is being widely used and causing irreparable damage to the marine life.

Also read: Karachi's mangroves: The city's superheroes are under threat

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2015

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