Fishermen have warned the government that they will stage a sit-in protest on Pasni Zero-Point if the illegal trawling in Balochistan seas isn’t halted. The fishermen from the coastal areas of Balochistan argue due to the rampant trawling in the sea has become difficult for them and their only source of income has dried up. They have given a two-day ultimatum to the government to take notice of the issue.
Fishing is the main source of income in Pasni, Gwadar, and adjoining areas. Fishermen in these areas have been protesting on and off for several years against rampant trawling and unchecked fishing in the sea. They claim that the government and fishing companies are indifferent to the destruction of marine life. They also claim that government officials are bribed by the trawler mafia – allowing them to fish illegally in the coastal areas of Balochistan. While the officials have denied the allegations saying that trawling has been officially banned by the government. Fishermen argue that despite the ban, illegal trawling continues unabated. They expressed dissatisfaction over the measures taken by the government.
As per local fishermen, the illegal trawling is backed by a mafia that has been operating in the region for decades. Locals also blame the Chinese companies and trawlers from Sindh for rampant trawling in Gwadar and adjoining coastal areas of Balochistan.
At the beginning of this year, fishermen from Gwadar staged a month-long protest and sit-in against the illegal trawling and the trawler mafia, which ended after negotiations were held between Chief Minister Balochistan Qudoos Bizenjo and the protesters. During protests, Former Prime Minister Imran Khan promised to take strict actions against the persons involved in illegal trawling. But protesters said that the government has failed to implement their demands after ending the Gwadar sit-in and their basic demands have not been met.
The fishermen accused the Director of Fisheries Gwadar Abdul Hameed and the Assistant Director of Fisheries Abdul Hadi of colluding with the trawlers from Sindh in allowing the trawler mafia into the sphere of the Balochistan seas. “The Director and the Assistant Director will be responsible for the protests if they didn’t stop illegal trawling,” fishermen said.