KARACHI, Jan 30: A ban on wicker basket, locally known as Chhally, for the transportation of seafood is to be extended to the entire premises of Karachi Fish Harbour on Feb 15, it is learnt.

The ban, currently in force only in auction halls and fish markets, had been imposed in September last after the European Economic Council declared that wicker basket was not suitable for use in the transportation of perishable items.

Fisheries sources believe that wicker basket would be replaced by crates made of plastic or some other material with an aim of preventing any damage to the contents.

Pakistan has now attained one of the few top positions in the list of exporters to the EU countries mainly due to the improvement brought about in the conditions in and around the harbour. Sources said that the use of safer utensils in the preservation and handling of the seafood products would definitely result in further increase export volume.