Removal of annual fishing ban Fishermen gear-up efforts

Keamari's fishermen have geared up their efforts for getting the annual, June-July, fishing ban removed through proposed legislation during upcoming session of the legislature and started contacting elected representatives to garner support for the move.
"We are going to talk to Sindh Fisheries Minister Zahid Bhurgari to include the issue of removing June-July ban on fishing in the draft bill he is going to table in the house," said President Bona Fide Fishermen and Boat Owners Welfare Association, Asif Bhatti on Tuesday.
He said the provincial minister was said to be tabling a bill in the assembly for abolishing contract system in fresh water lakes across the provinces and fishermen wanted to insert their demands in the proposed legislation. He said the association had already started contacting different political parities, having representation in the Provincial Assembly, and soon would visit MQM headquarter nine-zero to seek its formal help for the legislation.
"We are now looking towards PPP leaders whom we have voted in the last general elections, and will also call on other political leaders of the country to help in lifting the June-July fishing ban permanently," Bhatti said. The frustrated fishermen last month stepped up efforts to seek MQM support in Sindh Assembly after PPP's provincial leadership failed to bring the annual fishing ban of two months to a permanent end through legislation.
Fishermen of small islets of Keamari namely Baba and Bhit have been demanding ending the annual fishing ban permanently through legislation, sources in the fisheries sector said.
The ban should have been removed by now as it was the late PPP chairperson's pledge to the community, he said, adding "The ban is unjust and altogether against the interest of poor fishermen which push them into financial crisis every year".
He also demanded of the government to pay compensation to fishermen during the annual fishing ban so that the poor fishermen could maintain their families in lean period of the year, besides urging the PPP leaders to initiate welfare projects for them including setting up of healthcare and education institutes.