NA body for uplifting indigenous fishermen.

ISLAMABAD -- The National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs Thursday urged the federal government to take measures for uplifting indigenous fishermen present in Sindh and Balochistan. The fisherman must be imparted education of modern fishing techniques, enabling them to be a major contributor in the country's economy, said Amer Ali Khan Magsi while chairing the meeting of the Committee here.

On the rapid depletion of fish stock in Pakistan, Secretary Maritime Affairs Rizwan Ahmed informed the Committee that there was no mechanism in the provinces to monitor the fishing activities that causing decline in the stock. The major cause of depletion is irregular fishing, he said, adding that in that regard the fishing policy is being reviewed and formulated and the same will be shared with the Committee.

All the management and regulation of local fishing boats was being done by the provincial fisheries department of Sindh and Balochistan and they were authorized to issue the fishing licenses within their jurisdiction, the Secretary apprised the panel.

He said regulation and imposition of proper fishing gears was required by the provinces as majority of the fleet of fishing boats was not sustainable.

Giving progress on the Gwadar...