The Sindh government today announced a complete prohibition on all illegal and small-mesh fishing nets, including the destructive Bolo Gajo net, in a decisive move to combat the severe depletion of aquatic life in the province”s waters. The policy, confirmed by Provincial Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani, will be reinforced through forthcoming legal amendments.
During a high-level meeting of fisheries stakeholders, Minister Malkani asserted that the use of prohibited fishing gear would not be tolerated under any circumstances. The assembly was convened under the special instructions of Sindh”s Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, to address the growing environmental crisis.
The minister identified the Bolo Gajo net as particularly destructive to marine ecosystems, stating that no industry stakeholder would support its use. He confirmed that while the Gajo net is already forbidden in marine creeks, new regulations will now strictly enforce minimum mesh sizes within the province’s maritime limits: 25mm for shrimp nets and 55mm for gear used to catch other fish species.
The meeting was attended by a broad spectrum of industry and government representatives, including Parliamentary Secretary Asif Khan, MPA Mahmood Alam Jamot, Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Kazim Hussain Jatoi, and the heads of the Fishermen Cooperative Society and Fisherfolk Forum. Also present were senior officials from the federal and provincial marine fisheries departments, the Pakistan Fisheries Export Association, the Sindh Trawler Association, and the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority.
In a bid to support the local fishing community through this transition, Minister Malkani announced an initiative to help fishermen maintain their livelihoods. He advised them to voluntarily surrender any banned nets to the authorities, in exchange for which they will be provided with new, compliant fishing gear.
Further deliberations are planned to address other critical issues affecting the sector. A subsequent meeting will focus on proposals for extending the seasonal fishing ban during the breeding season and developing comprehensive strategies to tackle marine pollution.
The provincial government has requested all stakeholders to submit formal proposals in writing to aid in the legislative process. Minister Malkani concluded that once the legal amendments are enacted, the comprehensive ban on prohibited nets will be strictly enforced to ensure the significant and long-term protection of aquatic life.