The yearly ban on shrimp fishing will remain in effect from June 1 to July 31, the fisheries department confirmed on Wednesday. According to fisheries director-general Ghulam Mohammad Mahar, the ban is imposed every year unless the chief minister orders otherwise owing to fishermen’s demands. According to the WWF-Pakistan, studies have revealed that the economic over fishing of shrimp in Pakistan started in the 1970s after which the catch of jaira’ (large white shrimp) started decreasing. There has been an 80% decline in the catch of large shrimp over the past four decades, for which a two-month ban is imposed, said a statement by WWF-Pakistan. The ban is considered the most effective measure as it allows juvenile shrimp (pastas) to move from mangrove and shallow coastal areas to the open sea, explained WWF-Pakistan technical adviser Mohammad Moazzam Khan. The ban also extends to some other fish owing to breeding season.
2016 The Express Tribune.