Fishermen at the Karachi Fish Harbour are still using antiquated gadgets as old as 30 years for fishing mainly because of the absence of money to invest for the upgradation/buying of modern gadgets and more importantly due to uneducated people who are incapable of handling modern boats. Sources said there are more than 4,500 boats used to catch fish in the sea registered at the Karachi Fish Harbour, out of which only 2,500 are operating.
Most of these boats are without fish finder, communication system and other essential equipment.
The Fish-finder costs around Rs 35,000 and boat owners mainly avoid installing it to save money, they said.
Sources said to maintain the quality of catch, the European Union has recommended a modified fish-hold (fibre glass) for every boat. It costs between Rs 250,000 and Rs 300,000. It could also help save 30-40 percent money in buying ice.
The European Union (EU) also recommended 'plastic crates' on boats as well as at auction halls, but none of these recommendations are being followed.
Talking to Business Recorder, Mohammed Suleman, a carpenter, said a 50 feet high fishing trawler takes from six months to a year for its completion.
Ishaq Khan, a mole holder, said the trawler carries around 15-25 people depending on the size, adding standard size of the trawlers at the Karachi Fish Harbour is about 45-65 feet. Shesham, Diyar and Chilgoza wood is being used in their making.
He said a 50 feet trawler can remain in the sea for two weeks while a 20 feet for only two days, and the 55 feet trawler could catch around 100,000 kg fish while remaining in deep-sea (0 to 30 nautical miles), adding the catch includes shrimps, Kiddi fish, Ribbon fish, etc.
Fishermen said around 50 to 60 feet trawlers cost around Rs 600,000, including wooden material, equipment and service charges.
Firoze Ali Gaba, a leading seafood exporter, approached the government to provide loans through private banks to boat-owners so that they can install flake ice plant in the trawler.
He said two tons flake ice plant if installed in these trawlers could double the Pakistan's seafood export as well as maintaining the its quality for a longer duration.
Iftikhar Zaidi, another seafood exporter, said the fibre and steel boats which are cheaper and more durable than the wooden boats can be manufactured in Pakistan.
He said 80 percent of fish catch of each trawler goes into fishmeal and only 15 to 20 percent goes for export. He requested the higher authorities to take into account these flaws in the fishing industry and take corrective measures to save the industry.
Replying to a question, he said even Indian or Iranian trawlers are better and modern than Pak trawlers.
However, the deep-sea fishing trawlers have the onboard flake ice plants for freezing seafood due to which the quality of deep-sea seafood is quite better than local fishing trawlers catch at harbour, deep-sea fishing industry, sources said.
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