The coastal waters of Balochistan, particularly around Gwadar and Pasni, are facing an ecological crisis due to relentless and unchecked trawling activities. The local fishing communities, once thriving on the rich biodiversity of these waters, are now struggling for sustenance as their primary source of income is being systematically depleted.
Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman, Gwadar’s representative in the Balochistan Assembly, who had pledged to end trawling to secure votes from fishermen, now seems powerless against the very issue he vowed to combat. Despite the presence of trawlers near the Gwadar Navy Camp, no action has been taken by the authorities to halt their operations.
In the vicinity of Pasni’s Jabl-e-Zarrin, trawlers brazenly cast their nets in broad daylight, flouting the law with impunity. The fisheries department, along with other governmental bodies, remains a silent spectator to this devastation, as fishermen witness the systematic stripping of aquatic life from their waters.
Reports indicate that trawlers have now made Pasni a base for their activities, operating under the indifferent gaze of the fisheries department. This has led to what locals describe as the most severe trawling in the history of the Baloch Sea, pushing numerous unique fish species to the edge of extinction. Consequently, fish companies have been forced to shut down, leaving several hundred workers jobless.
It is crucial to note that a significant portion of Makran’s population, particularly those along the coastal belt, depend on fishing for their livelihood. The relentless trawling, coupled with the government’s suspension of border trade, has not only destroyed their means of employment but also contributed to a rise in crime in the region. Incidents of theft and burglary are increasing as desperate individuals take drastic measures to survive.