GWADAR: A complete shutterdown was observed on Tuesday in the coastal Jiwani town in protest against illegal fishing by Sindh trawlers in the Arabian Sea near the area which was causing immense loss to local fishermen.

Protesters raised slogans and staged a sit-in outside the offices of the fisheries department. Fishermen also held a demonstration in the port city of Gwadar.

President of the fisherfolk forum Nazeer Ahmed Baloch said that the entire town remained locked down. Sindh trawlers, he said, were fishing near the Jiwani coast violating the Fisheries Act in connivance with the local officials of the fisheries department trawlers coming from Sindh were not only involved in illegal fishing but also damaging the fishing nets of local fishermen, he said.

Mr Baloch said that the elected representatives were not giving any attention to this important issue despite repeated protests and sit-ins.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2016