The Sindh Assembly Friday was told that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved a summary to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to each family of fishermen who were arrested by India. The Sindh Assembly session started with recitation of Holy Quran and Naat Sharif under the chairmanship of the Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani. Sindh Minister for Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani answering the questions of MPAs during question hour on fisheries said that fish farming had not been generally decreased at Badin, Tando Bago and Pangrio Talhar. He said that in 2014 the number of fish farms in these areas was 272 and in 2016 it now stood at 305. Adding that there is no fish farm in Mithi due to sandy area and shortage of water. To another question, he admitted that there is no medical facility on boats being provide to the fishermen but dispensaries have been set up for their health. He said that to improve the life of fishermen, the fisheries department has taken various initiatives for the betterment of fishermen, these including abolishing the leasing system, construction of model village for fishermen at Manchar lake, Keenjhar lake and zero point Badin which include provision of dispensaries, construction of fishmen colony at Murad Shah Mian and Rylo Mian at downstream Kotri Barrage, provision of fishing gears, such as boats, nets, engines and insulated ice boxes, bicycles and plastic boxes and construction of R.O plants and landing jetties. On a question regarding decline in population of Shark since 1999, he admitted in accordance with a recent survey the population of the spice had been on the decline. Replying to a question, he said that boats are initially registered by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) government of Pakistan according to the Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance 2001. Adding that each fishing boat either belong to Sindh or Balochistan has to obtain registration certificate from principal officer of MMD. He further said that Sindh government only issues permission and license for fishing to the boats operating in territorial waters.- APP