THATTA, May 26: The use of a prohibited net, Boolo, in mangrove areas and creeks along 350-km-long Sindh coast, has put fisheries at stake.

This was stated by Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum chief Mohammad Ali Shah while talking to this correspondent here on Sunday.

He said that as the net had holes of small size, it trapped premature fishes and shrimps which hindered their growth, resulting into 70 per cent decrease in fish and shrimp catch.

He said that due to the use of the net, a large number of fish species had become extinct in the area.

Mr Shah said that in 1995, the Sindh government had imposed a ban on the use of the net but it was still being used by local fishermen under the patronage of some influential persons of the coastal area.

He demanded the strict implementation of the ban on the use of Boolo net and provision of relief to the residents of the coastal area who had sustained irreparable losses due to cyclone, sea intrusion and deteriorating fishing business.

When contacted, the chiefs of the local branches of two intelligence agencies, confirmed the version of Mr Shah, saying that the agencies had already reported to the authorities about extortion by some influential persons for allowing operation of prohibited fishing nets in their areas.

On request of anonymity, they said that the deep sea fishing trawlers were also contributing to annihilation to fish species.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: The adviser to the Sindh chief minister on forest and livestock, Aijaz Shah Shirazi, laid the foundation stone of Ali Wali Blood Bank and the Abdul Sattar Shah Shirazi Medical Centre in Makli on Sunday.

The Makli union council has provided funds and building for the two facilities which would be run by an NGO, the Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Welfare Association.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shirazi said that the blood bank and the medical centre would prove to be a blessing for residents of the district, particularly those of far-flung coastal areas and patients of thalassaemia, who previously had to travel to Karachi for blood.