Pakistan's seafood export to the EU is expected to remain suspended as flaws at the auction halls and managerial shortcomings still exist, fisheries sources said Thursday. Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) - a fisheries export regulator, which is a part of Federal Ports and Shipping Ministry, had banned seafood export to the EU in September this year on finding decaying auction halls condition and unhealthy handling of catch.
The ban was expected to end on October 20 but was extended till November 20 after the MFD found the same flawed seafood handling and unsanitary condition at the auction halls, which it had pointed out in its report in September "Deadline of November 20 is ending today but ban is likely to stay," officials said.
Fishermen Co-operative Society (FCS) is responsible for auction halls maintenance, cleanliness and administration at the fisheries. But, it has never been able to improve conditions that are worst for now since its bank accounts have been ceased on courts orders in the wake of litigations. "The FCS cites no funds are available and did not take a step to remove the flaws which the MFD had pointed out to it, the ban continuation is now likely with a new deadline and the issues are far from settling," officials said, adding that neither the federal nor Sindh government was interested to help end the seafood export ban.
The PPP-government is busy in local bodies' election in parts of Sindh province, leaving the suspension of seafood export to the EU suspended, sources said, adding that the fish harbour's condition was decaying since the financial support to the FCS had been disconnected with the Rangers raid nabbing society's vice chairman on crime charges.
"Situation is worst at present and the seafood export ban is expected to go on until the FCS internal disputes are solved," sources said, adding that the MFD is unlikely to permit export to the EU if catch handing and stationary conditions were improved.