KARACHI, Aug 1: The Karachi Fish Harbour wore a somewhat deserted look on Friday – the day when fishing activity was supposed to resume after a month-long seasonal ban – as most boat owners preferred to keep their vessels anchored at the harbour in protest against rising fuel prices.

Around 300,000 to 400,000 people are directly involved in the fishing business while thousands of workers are employed at the harbour.

Demanding of the government to give a subsidy on diesel – which they say is being offered elsewhere in the world – fishermen say rising fuel prices have rendered their business unprofitable. The government’s indifference to fishermen’s woes and the increasing prices of fuel have forced them to contemplate leaving fishing and investing their money and energy in some profitable venture, they say.

“I am looking for an Iranian party to sell my three boats. Earlier, Iranians were offering a good price. But now, aware as they are of the crisis we are in, they have reduced their rates,” says Abdul Hanif, a fisherman.

He explains that a trip for 15 to 20 days used to cost between Rs200,000 and Rs250,000 five years ago but the same trip now costs Rs800,000 to Rs900,000. In comparison, shrimp rates have gone down, he says, adding that a large-sized shrimp, which was sold for Rs300 to Rs350 a kilo in the 1980s, is being sold for Rs100 to Rs150 at present.

“Yet a majority of launch owners opt for shrimps because the nets to catch fish are exorbitantly expensive. Shrimp rates have gone down since many shrimp processing factories have been closed over the years,” the fisherman observes, adding that the few factories which still exist fix rates unilaterally keeping in view that the European Union has imposed a ban on the export of shrimp.

The fish, on the other hand, is marketed in Iran, he says, adding that the fish price has gone up though not proportionate to the rise in fuel prices.

“Diesel prices have doubled in recent months. If fishermen fail to fetch a catch worth the cost invested in the running expenses, they operate at a loss,” says Saeed Baloch, General Secretary of the Fishermen Cooperative Societies Employees Union. Running expenses, he says, obviously do not include boat’s repair required every three months and engine maintenance.

The increase in fuel prices, according to Mr Baloch, would affect 300,000 to 400,000 people directly involved in fishing besides thousands of others working as labourers at the harbour. Price manipulation by middlemen, too, leaves fishermen at the loosing end, with almost no earning to make ends meet, he adds.

Fish rate, fuel subsidy

“The government must fix a minimum rate of every fish species for one year and ensure provision of fuel at subsidised rates, which is being done in many countries, including Iran. The fishing industry fetched $210 million in exports to countries like China, Dubai, Japan and Korea last year despite a ban on seafood exports imposed by the European Union,” he adds.

Yar Mohammad, a fisherman and owner of a few boats, says it’s unfortunate that the government is ready to facilitate foreign vessels but extends no support to local fishermen.

“Government officials ask for money from fishermen on different pretexts even if someone wants to anchor boat at dry docks for repair. We pay Rs20,000 annually to the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority and the Karachi Port Trust on account of different taxes and an amount, equivalent to five per cent of the total catch, goes to the Fishermen Cooperative Society, but what do we get in return?” he questions.

A few fishermen cited non-availability of Iranian diesel in the market for the crisis while others claim that they have to buy diesel, available for Rs65.86 a litre in the local market, for Rs82 or above owing to some malpractices at the harbour.

Instant relief

Regarding the future strategy, the officer-bearer of the Fishermen Cooperative Societies Employees Union says the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum is planning to hold a meeting with all stakeholders with the fisheries minister in the chair to address the issues.

About any relief to fishermen in diesel prices, Islamabad-based Fisheries Commissioner Dr Mohammad Hayat says that his department will forward a proposal to the government in this regard although the previous regime rejected a similar proposal. “Apart from that, work is in progress on a number of projects to improve the value of the fish catch. Almost half of the catch fails to get the right price in the market only because fishermen do not have standardised boats and adopt traditional methods for catching,” the commissioner says.

About the catch value at auctioning, he says the Fishermen Cooperative Society is handling the matter though a proposal to outsource the auctioning system is under consideration so that fishermen may get better rates.