Foolproof enforcement of law to protect seafood stressed

Chief Secretary Sindh Dr Mutawakkil Kazi on Wednesday advised the Fisheries and Livestock Department, Government of Sindh to ensure foolproof enforcement of law to protect "Sea Food" in territories of Sindh oceanic waters as it is the national wealth, which must be saved.
He expressed these views in a high level meeting regarding unauthorised fishing by deep sea trawlers, held on Wednesday afternoon at Sindh Secretariat.
The meeting was convened on complaints and request of Fisheries Co-operative Society and small fishermen, who discussed specified information regarding vessels, indulge in unauthorised fishing.
Role of Maritime Security Agency and provincial fisheries department, stock assessment of territorial waters to access the actual efforts required to explode resources were also discussed in the meeting.
It was also decided that enhancement of licence fee for fishing in the territorial waters by local trawlers, and adopting some deviation measures to divert the fishing pressure on capture fishing in the territorial water ie, mariculture practices should be undertaken by the province.
After hearing the submissions of stakeholders in details, the chief secretary noted that the restructuring of fisheries department would be undertaken to effectively perform its duties and functions, adding that 24 hours monitoring must be made in order to save the future races of fish and other respective belongings.
He also maintained that he will get a survey conducted with the association of United Nations experts so that oceanic environment be improvised and protect adequately.
The chief secretary pointed out that no improvement in this trade has been appeared since 18th century, its evolution shall be carried out to equip this sector with the latest technology, which is the basic need of time.
He also called upon to modernise the "Net System" so that the sea life could be protected, in addition to the betterment of small fishermen, whose livelihood depends on fishing.
The meeting was attended by Director General (DG) Marine Fisheries Department S. Q. Raza, Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Department Mazahar Ali Sahito, Managing Director Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) Iqbal Turk, DG Livestock and Fisheries Dr Baz Muhammad Junejo, Director FCS Fisheries Harbour Shafi Muhammad Jamote, Chairperson FCS/PFF Muhammad Ali Shah, Director Fisheries Sindh Livestock and Fisheries Department Waheed Ahmed, Associate Secretary Deep Sea Association (DSA) Zulfiqar Babiami, Member DSA F. Rahim Khan, Director KFHA Muhammad Nawaz Baloch, Director Operation KFHA Anwarul Islam, Director General Maritime Security Agency (MSA) Mukhtiar Mohsin and Director Operation MSA Muhammad Zakir.
Meanwhile Chief Secretary Sindh Dr Mutawakkil Kazi and other secretaries and officials of the Sindh secretariat expressed condolence over sad demise of brother in law of Sindh Secretary Services M. Hashim Leghari.
They prayed Amighty Allah to rest the departed soul in heaven and bestow patience to bereaved family.