The Sindh government has relaxed the two-month seasonal ban on fishing in the territorial waters of the province.
The ban is imposed every year between June 1 and July 31, as the period is believed to be the breeding season of fish, especially shrimps. However, the ban will now be imposed on July 1 for a period of one month. The decision to relax the ban has been taken by the chief executive of the province on a demand of the fishing community.
This was stated by Sindh Fisheries Minister Zahid Ali Burghari who said that the government was making all-out efforts to resolve the problems of fishermen who he said had been neglected in the past. He said that no surcharge would be charged on registration of small boats — known as Horas in local parlance – and added that the registration process would be completed this year.
In this regard, the minister said that he had issued necessary directives to the departments concerned. Mr Burghari also told the participants of the meeting that houses would be built for fishermen in the coastal areas of the province. At the same time, he said, the government was also providing small boats to poor fishermen for free so that they could earn their livelihood.
The function was also attended by managing director of the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority Akbar Laghari, FCS manager Iqbal Ahmed Mehar and other officials.