Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, announced today that Sindh will implement a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) on fishing boats to combat illegal fishing and protect marine resources. The announcement came during a high-level meeting at Malkani”s office, where officials discussed the challenges faced by the province”s fishing communities.
Malkani stressed the importance of registering all fishermen and their vessels with the Sindh Fisheries Department. He stated that only individuals with biometric verification, CNICs, or Smart Cards would be permitted to fish. This system will also prevent fishermen from crossing into Indian waters and provide alerts when they enter Balochistan”s maritime limits.
The minister highlighted that illegal fishing is severely depleting fish populations. Boat registration is crucial for controlling this unauthorized activity, protecting marine life, and ensuring the livelihoods of legitimate fishermen. He instructed officials to register only fishermen with valid CNICs. He emphasized the urgent need to address security concerns raised during a Corps Commander’s meeting. Registered jetty owners will be required to provide essential amenities.
The VMS installation is progressing rapidly with support from the Fisheries Department. This technology will enable real-time monitoring of boats and prevent illicit activities. Unregistered boats and individuals lacking CNICs will be prohibited from fishing, and violators will face legal repercussions. Malkani directed authorities to streamline registration, VMS installation, and enforcement procedures.
The minister also acknowledged the severe staff shortage due to a 15-year hiring freeze, retirements, and deaths within the Sindh government. He underscored the necessity for robust systems to provide fishermen with timely storm warnings to avert tragedies at sea.
Attendees included Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Kazim Jatoi, Captain Abdullah of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Colonel Ghulam Akbar of Pakistan Rangers, Assistant Collector Customs Yasir Kabir, DG MFDD Dr. Mansoor Wassan, DG Marine Fisheries Siraj Ahmed Solangi, MD Karachi Fisheries Harbour Zahid Khemtio, and Director Marine Asim Kareem.