Pakistan coast line is in Balochistan and the greater half of the same coast is in Iranian Balochistan known as Mekran Coast. Roughly, it is around 3000 kilometers. The fishermen at Gwadar were on protest in month of December where one of their demand was to ban on illegal trawling at Gwadar which destroying the fishermen life.

Seminar on Wednesday in Gwadar representatives of World Wildlife Fund and Director General Fisheries Muhammad Ibrahim discussed challenges facing local fishermen calling fisheries sector key to boost country’s economy. Addressing the Seminar Director Fisheries Muhammad Ibrahim and Technical Advisor Muhammad Muzzam Khan said, the provincial in leadership of Jam Kamal taking steps for development of local fishermen and fisheries sector while strict action underway against illegal trawling in coastal strip of Balochistan.

“The Provincial government has been working on establishing Cooperative Society, free Engines, Net, Fishing equipment and loans without interest for local fishermen community in Balochistan.”

“Government has decided to prevent illegal trawling in Balochistan’s sea that has been exploiting the rights of local fishermen.
Earlier, in October 24, 2018 Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan directed Fisheries Department to prepare recommendations on launching Green Boot Engine Scheme for Local Fishermen in Balochistan promising to provide all facilities to provincial fishermen.

Jam Kamal directed fisheries department to set a mechanism for collecting data of sea mineral in Balochistan and make sure necessary amendments in fisheries department. The fisheries department should launch a modern packing system for local fishermen so they could secure their fishes.

CM also directed the concern department to commence registration of fishing boats and fine policy for illegal trawlers.
There is absolutely no law to regulate the fishing industry, safety of Life, protection of marine environment, boat designs, hygiene onboard, cargo storage standard to fetch best prices, use of wrong fishing nets. Nothing is regulated or government laws is outdated. The fishermen themselves and the authorities resist if any change is recommended. All these flaws suit the authorities as it provides the loopholes required to make money with corrupt practices.

Why the Pakistan Coast Guards, Navy, and the Marine Security Force are not defending the fish reserves and fish stock in a big way during the peace time? Keeping aside the role of Pakistan Navy—a defence force defending the vast coastline, two other agencies—the Pakistan Coast Guards and the Maritime Security Forces should come to the help of Government of Pakistan defending the rich fishing grounds and marine life from the poachers.

The provincial government should enforce the laws of the land and defend the rich fishing grounds and marine life using the provincial law enforcing agencies and they be trained for this specific job to arrest the poachers and punish them on the spot.
This caused uproar among the local residents, particularly the poor fishermen who happened to be the political constituents of the local leaders. Only in such cases, the leaders were found in complete outburst in defence of their constituents, all being the local fishermen, with a view to pacify them only.

The Balochistan government should defend the rights of the fishermen first, bar the big fishing vehicles, mainly trawlers from sweeping the fishing grounds and destroying the marine life completely. If the corrupt practices are attacked and kept at the minimum level, the benefits will go to the poor fishermen. Coastal development will be a second issue for the fishermen, mainly with modest means.