By : ANWAR KHAN
Pakistan's fisheries resources are heading towards fast depletion in face of poor fishing techniques by fishermen, hazards emitting coastal industries, lack of a proper marine policy and degrading marine ecology. Like other countries, Pakistani fishermen are also marking the World Fisheries Day (today) with a theme of "Threats to Livelihood Sources".
The seafarers who solely depend on fishing are largely using old techniques with small nets on the seas to catch fish and shrimp species. The fatal exercise continues to push the already fragile aquatic species to fall. The government has no authentic and up-to-date marine stocks survey to define the reasons that left the country's shorelines and deep sea perilous for species. The fishermen still lack proper marine guidelines to trap fish and shrimp species at deep sea they really need to catch.
The ship breaking industry at coastlines of Balochistan is also spilling dangerous materials in shape of residual oil, lubricants, asbestos, zinc, chromium, arsenic and paint with lead into the sea. "There is a growing threat to the food security as a result of over-fishing and degrading marine environment," says Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).
According to the PFF with a reference of UN study, the world's one third fisheries are in a state of depletion while two-third has already been overfished. The forum wants the government of Pakistan and other countries to step up efforts to scale down the fast depletion of fish stocks. It suggests brisk steps to sustain the fisheries growth and support for marine ecology.
Illegal catch of fish ranges between 10 million and 28 million tons. Unfortunately, some 7.3 million tons, 10 percent of the total global catch, is discarded every year, it expresses concerns. The more fish species are declining on the seas, the greater fishing trawling are increasing. "It is clear that as fish are becoming less abundant, fishing vessels are tempted to evade rules and conservation strategies," says the UN report.
The trapping of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to larger amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering the world's oceans, a process known as "ocean acidification." In addition, higher global temperatures lead to warmer oceans. Both affect marine life, an important source of protein for over a billion people, the forum cites the report of UN.
According to the PFF, excessive fishing and mechanisation have also contributed to the marine ecological chaos. It says fish stocks are depleting through 'factory' vessels, bottom trawling and other means of unsustainable fishing methods.
"Ship breaking coastal industry, sewerage water, chemical matters, oil and polythene bags are steering the marine life to unfortunate demise," fears director Fishermen Co-operative Society (FCS) Asif Bhatti. He showed apprehension over the negative trend that is likely to drive a number of marine species towards a permanent decline. "In the next 20 years, the sea will not be the same, there will less species and nominal landing of fish and shrimp," he maintained.
He was of the view that better practices and good policies will solve all the issues, if there is a will amongst the fisheries stakeholders and the government. He said education should be made compulsory for fishermen and the government should provide them with knowledge about seas.
"There are no official surveys of marine stocks available with fishermen to know the exact fields of fish and shrimp on the sea for target fishing," he said, adding that the practice of targeted catch will help marine species grow fast and their depletion could reduce.
Only Pak Navy has the marine survey boats, which assists other institutions, he said. "In such a condition, how marine resources could be protected from a decline," said Bhatti. He said the government's concerned institutions hold only training workshops for fishermen which should be made into a semester course to certify the seafarers for better fishing on the sea.
"At the age of technology, the local fishermen continue to sail and catch fish with old techniques, as a result, resources are lost and cost always soars," he said, adding that local fishermen also lack proper fishing gears to face the weather challenges on the sea.
The country's largest fish harbour lack fire fighting system while safety of fishermen remains always at risk, the FCS director said. "The government should make some efforts to bring the local fisheries sector on global standards," he appealed.
"Indus dolphin is under threat due to a number of reasons including pollution in the water, use of nets for the fish catch and other harmful methods used by the people. Many fish species are depleting due to multiple threats. Palla fish is also decreasing," according to the World Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan.
Mangroves are facing logging at a fast pace at the shores and creeks. The survival of mangroves forests is largely associated with perennial fresh water supply from River Indus that flows through delta before falling into Arabian Sea. "Historically, there used to be 8 species of mangroves which have reduced to four over the time. These include Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Aegicerias corniculatum. They are nurseries for various species of fish, shrimps, lobsters and crabs. They also provide shelter to a number of bird species," says the fund.
It says under-privileged fishermen communities are facing deprivation of their fundamental rights. "Therefore all stakeholders should strive to help them attain their basic status. Cold storage facilities should be provided at coastal areas to freezing fish catch for a longer period," it urged.
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