KARACHI: The fishermen have rejected the Sindh Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2015 during a provincial dialogue on fisheries policy and fisheries related legislation in Sindh organised by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).
The fishermen’s representatives argued that the bill would bring the controversial fishing contract system back to the province’s inland and marine waters and deprive small fishermen of their livelihoods.
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Highlighting their concerns, the speakers regretted that an attempt was being made to re-introduce the controversial contract system that was abolished after a long struggle in 2011 through an amendment to the fisheries ordinance of 1980.
“The proposed bill that would replace all previous legislations and is presently with the law department for vetting is in contrast to fishermen’s fundamental rights. We hope that the government would consider our demand and drop the clauses in the proposed draft that speak about the lease fishing system,” said Mustafa Gurgaze of the PFF.
According to him, the proposed bill is not in accordance with the International Labour Organization convention on fisheries and makes no mention of important issues like climate change and disaster risk reduction.
Minister of fisheries and livestock Jam Khan Shoro, director inland fisheries Khawar Pervaiz Awan, Haji Shafi Jamote, Zulfiqar Ali Shah representing the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research also spoke on the occasion.
