A large number of small fishermen on Friday complained that Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA) had denied them fishing permits, which is making their livelihood difficult. They said that there are about 1000 short tripper fishermen, whose boats, according to KFHA policy, neither fall under big fishing boats nor under fishing trawler category, and they are persistently not being allowed passage through the harbour channel.
These boats are locally called "Wora", measuring 28 to 32 feet length, which go on short trips of maximum 72 hours in the Arabian Sea to catch fish. They demanded that they should be issued fishing permits to maintain their means of livelihood. They criticised tat the Authority lacks a fishing permit issuing policy which also disturbs the small fishermen every year, despite having all relevant documents and crew passes. They also warned that a severe kind of agitation could spur against the indifferent attitude of the Authority officials in reaction.
The Keamari based fishermen also protested against the unloading of uncovered chemical from ship at Berth No 1, without the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) taking precautionary steps, which is not only polluting the sea but also causing inner injuries to area residents and fishermen. However, Director, Operation, KFHA, Waheed Ahmed said that these "Wora" boats are not recognised under the Authoritys fishing permit policy. However, a letter to the KFHA MD had been sent to resolve the issue on priority basis.
He said that many fishermen failed to fulfil the official procedure for obtaining fishing permits. Asked whether these small boats would be considered for issuing fishing permit, he said that they have not yet been declared as fishing boats.
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