Karachi Fish Harbour shall remain close from 1st to 31st July

Karachi, June 14, 2012 (PPI-OT): Karachi Fish Harbour shall remain close for landing facilities of all catches of inland and marine seafood. This was decided in a meeting held at Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA). Presiding over the meeting Abdul Ghani Jokhio, Managing Director, KFHA said that during the last couple of months we altogether had number of meetings on implementation of law on illegal nets and observe ban on catch in July.

Finally he added Government had issued two Notifications one for relaxation in mandatory seasonal ban on fishing in the month of June thus in July catch shall be strictly prohibited and only 55 mm mesh size for fish and 25 mm for shrimps shall be allowed. Mr. Jokhio thanked MFD, FCS, STOFA, MSA, Coast Guards, Moleholders, bonafide fishermen for their gracious support and courage to work out a policy.

Mr. Shaukat Hussain, Director General, MFD informed the meeting that in fact this achievement is a great service to the fishermen and in the national interest once we succeed in its objective, the current and future generation will reap the benefits.

According to decisions taken in the meeting, customs authorities would not issue Port Clearance to any fishing boat during ban season. No stakeholder will sell or buy fish / shrimp during the ban season, otherwise catch shall be confiscated and penalty shall be imposed besides cancellation of fishing license, registration of boat and export registration.

Seafood processors shall ensure that they would not buy any fishery product from 1st to 31st July. They shall also declare stock stored in their respective Chill rooms as on 30th June 2012, by 4th July 2012 to the MFD and KFHA.

To implement the operation on seasonal ban and banned net, joint inspection teams consisting Fisheries Department, KFHA, MSA, Coast Guards, STOFA and representative of fishermen would monitor the activities and work round the clock. The code-end net will be available for fishermen in the next fishing season starting from August 2012 and only fishing boats carrying approved net shall be allowed for fishing.

The cost of code-end net initially will be borne by KFHA, FCS and Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association and to be recovered from boat owners upon their return from fishing. The meeting was attended by Director General, MFD, Deputy Director MSA, MLO Coast Guards, Deputy Director Sindh Fisheries, Representatives of Pakistan Customs, FCS, STOFA, Moleholders, bonafied fishermen.

For more information, contact:
Sagheer Ahmed
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority
Government of Sindh
Ph: 92-21-32313374
Cell: 92-321-2416034

PPI Original Text (PPI-OT) – Fishing boats should return by 30th June to observe seasonal ban: Managing Director Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority

Karachi, May 29, 2012 (PPI-OT): No crew list permission or port clearance (PC) to be issued to the fishing boats from June 15, 2012 to ensure that fishing boats should return by 30th June2012 to observe the seasonal ban in the month of July 2012, this was stated by Abdul Ghani Jokhio Managing Director KFHA.

While reviewing the methodology to enforce the complete implementation of seasonal ban on catch of fish and shrimp Mr. Jokhio said that all officers should take serious and sincere efforts for effective monitoring of implementation of seasonal ban in the interest of fisheries sector.

Giving advice to the fishermen he added that relaxation for catch in the month of June, given by Government is a temporary remedy in consideration of difficulties faced by fishermen but now they should realize the importance of the issue and play their role for saving the marine juveniles which are depleting rapidly.

He further asked that all stakeholders must shoulder their responsibilities to honour their commitment made in a meeting chaired by Mr. Zahid Ali Bhurgari, Minister for Fisheries Sindh and Chairman KFHA held on 11th April 2012. He further said a mechanism should be evolved to ensure that:

1. Fishing boats should return by 30th June 2012.

2. Customs authorities would not to issue Port Clearance to any fishing boat during ban season.

3. The Maritime Security Agency and Pakistan Coast Guards keep vigilance on movement of boats and ensure implement the ban season.

4. Seafood processors would ensure that they would not buy any fishery product from 1st to 31st July. They shall also declare stock stored in their respective Chill rooms as on 30th June 2012.

KFHA further warned that strict action should be taken in case of any violation reported with heavy penalty on such processors / fishermen and they will be restricted from processing of fishery products and fishing voyage.

For more information, contact:
Sagheer Ahmed
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority
Government of Sindh
Ph: 92-21-32313374
Cell: 92-321-2416034

PPI Original Text (PPI-OT) – Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority approves Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority Employees (Service Rules) 2012

Karachi, May 22, 2012 (PPI-OT): The Board of Directors, Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) in a 17th meeting held on 22nd May 2012 under the chairmanship of Mr. Zahid Ali Bhurgari, Minister for Fisheries Sindh and Chairman KFHA approved the KFHA Employees (Service Rules) 2012, Method of Recruitment and Organizational Chart. Earlier Abdul Ghani Jokhio Managing Director KFHA briefed the Board about the agenda of the meeting.

The Board of Directors also reviewed and approved the revised Master Plan. As per recommendation of the Committee constituted by the Board to review the Master Plan, weigh bridge, Saw Mill, fibre glass boat manufacturing plant, fish meal plant, ice plant, oil dispensation station would be established in the Karachi Fish Harbour whereas a river osmosis plant shall also be installed to cater water requirement of the harbour. Moreover, plots for state of the art seafood processing plants have also been carved out which will bring foreign investment in the country.

Administrator and other members of advisory committee assured the Board that FCS would implement all the recommendation of the committee constituted for resolving issues between the KFHA and FCS and further assured that all dues of the KFHA would be cleared within a short period of time.

The Board also approved the appointment of consultants for upcoming commercial projects. Health insurance facilities for all employees of the KFHA has also been approved by the Board of Directors. The KFHA will appoint Chartered Accountant firm for the audit of accounts of the Authority. The Board also discussed the implementation on destructive nets which notification will be issued shortly.

The meeting attended by Director General, Marine Fisheries Department, Director General, Sindh Fisheries, Administrator FCS, Director Operations Maritime Security Agency, Director Fisheries (R and D) Sindh, Representatives of Commissioner Karachi, KPT, Seafood exporters.

For more information, contact:
Sagheer Ahmed
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority
Government of Sindh
Ph: 92-21-32313374
Cell: 92-321-2416034

Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority decides to enforce one month ban on fishing

Karachi: One month ban on fishing would be enforced in the month of July this year. It was decided unanimously in a meeting held today at Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) which was presided over by Mr. Zahid Ali Bhurgari, Minister for Fisheries Sindh.

The meeting was attended by Abdul Ghani Jokhio, Managing Director KFHA, Cdre. Azir Mumtaz, Deputy Director General, Maritime Security Agency (MSA), Representative of Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG), Vice Chairman, Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA), Representatives of Fishermen Society, Pakistan Fisherfolk forum, Bonafide Fishermen, Sindh Trawlers Owners Association, Mole Holders etc.

Representatives of fishermen community stressed on effective implementation of ban on fishing but for only one month in the entire coastal areas. They also urged to enforce ban on destructive nets and controlling of sea pollution. However, Vice Chairman PFEA conveyed the reservation of his association on one month ban for July and urged that it should be for two months.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Fisheries Sindh said that it was collective responsibility of all stakeholders to take effective measures for the conservation of marine resources. He informed that 200 destructive nets had been burnt at Karachi Fish Harbour out of 500 nets confiscated by the Sindh Fisheries Department so far.

He added that mesh size of the cod –end of net would be finalized on 12th April in a meeting to be held in the office of Secretary Livestock and Fisheries, Government of Sindh and accordingly notification shall be issued. In this regard, MSA, PGC and local police would be informed and requested to take action against use of nets other than notified size.

He further informed that in coordination with City District Government and Water Sewerage Board efforts were being taken to control the pollution. He also asked Managing Director KFHA to hold a meeting with Sindh Forest Department, KPT, Environmental Protection Agency, Sindh Fisheries for conservation of mangroves which was the natural hatcheries for shrimps and other species. Mr. Abdul Ghani Jokhio, Managing Director informed the meeting that from 1st August 2012, KFHA would not allow landing of trash fish at Karachi Fish Harbour.

For more information, contact:
Sagheer Ahmed
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority
Government of Sindh
Ph: 92-21-32313374
Cell: 92-321-2416034

Korean Delegation Visited Karachi Fish Harbour

Karachi: A Korean delegation based in United States led by Mr. Jun Sik Lee President, International Seafoods of Alaska, Inc. visited the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) to share their expertise with Pakistani seafood exporter to bring improvement in processing of fishery products.

The company has established its canneries in Korea , China , Taiwan and Philippines . Mr. Jun Sik Lee shows his keen interest in investment in Pakistan . He said his firm is very much interested in mud crab farming in sweet waters of Sindh. He added that his company would introduce pearl-shell farming in sweet waters. Mr. Jun Sik Lee informed that Korean fishermen use a plastic net for fishing which dissolve in sea water after a period of two years.

Abdul Ghani Jokhio Managing Director KFHA welcomed the delegation and said that location and opportunities at Karachi Fish Harbour which spread over 120,000 sq.meters are ideal for foreign investment where about 600,000 metric tons seafood land annually.

Briefing the delegation he informed that Karachi Fish Harbour provide platform to 60% marine and 35% inland fish where 165 different species are brought. Explaining about Master Plan of Karachi Fish Harbour he said that KFHA would facilitate the company and had a provision in the plan to set up processing and value added plants. He informed that planning is under consideration for converting existing fleet of fishing vessels to fibre glass.

Mr. Faisal Iftikhar, President Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association informed the delegation that there is an enormous potential for value added fishery products. He stressed on reducing the gap between a processor and fisherman, which yield good results on fisheries sector.

Mr. Sarwar Siddiqi, Patron in Chief of Sindh Trawlers Owners and Fishermen Association (STOFA) said that we are much interested to exchange technology which certainly shall be beneficial for both owner of boat and fishermen and ensure availability of fresh and hygiene seafood.

Mr. Jun Sik Lee assured that he would submit proposals for mud crab farming, pearl-shell farming and dissolving net which could be introduced in Pakistan . Later the delegation visited a processing plant and auction hall. Mr. Shaukat Hussain, Director General, Marine Fisheries Department, Manager FCS and others were also present on this occasion.

For more information, contact:
Sagheer Ahmed
Public Relations Officer
Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority
Government of Sindh
Ph: 92-21-32313374
Cell: 92-321-2416034