Staff Reporter:
QUETTA: In a historic meeting, the Secretary of Fisheries & Coastal Development for Balochistan and the Secretary of Livestock & Fisheries Department for Sindh addressed the challenges posed by illegal trawling.
Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sial, Secretary of the Livestock & Fisheries Department for the Government of Sindh had a thorough discussion with Secretary of Fisheries Balochistan, Mir Imran Gichki.
Preservation Of Marine Ecosystem Hallmark Of The Meeting
The focus was on the detrimental impact of trawl nets on marine ecosystems, with Balochistan emphasizing the need to protect local artisanal fisheries. Sindh acknowledged the industrialization of its fisheries sector and agreed to launch a joint awareness campaign to discourage trawl net usage.
Illegal Trawling An Important Issue
During the meeting, key figures such as DG Fisheries Sindh, Ali Muhammad Mastoe, and Abdul Manan Kohkar, Deputy Secretary of Sindh Fisheries, were present. The focus was on the highly destructive nature of trawl nets and their negative impact on marine ecosystems. The Secretary of the Balochistan Fisheries Department emphasized the proactive stance of Balochistan’s local fishermen in protecting artisanal fisheries.
Both provinces also discussed the implementation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and agreed to continue collaborative efforts. The Secretary of Balochistan Fisheries invited his Sindh counterpart for the next meeting in Gwadar, marking a historic step toward resolving the issue.”
