Action against illegal trawlers on Makran coastline – Pakistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to take strict action against the mafia involved in illegal trawling along the Makran coastline.

During a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to discuss preparations for the upcoming national meeting of the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee, it was reported that illegal trawling in Balochistan waters is damaging the lives of local fishermen.

CM Bugti expressed his anger over the illegal trawling that is robbing local fishermen of their livelihood. “Our own people are involved in illegal trawling and we cannot risk the future of future generations for temporary financial gains.”

He ordered the relevant authorities to take strict action against the ‘trawler mafia’.

He said illegal trawling was destroying national resources and coastlines. “What happened in the past and what previous governments did must be stopped now.”

The CM said it was unfortunate that the resources had been “ruthlessly plundered”. “In the last decade, fishing has emerged as an important sector but no mechanism has been put in place to prevent illegal trawling, which has strengthened the mafia,” the CM said.

Published in Dawn, August 11, 2024