KARACHI, Feb 23: The country’s first wireless communication system linking fishing vessels in the high seas with a ground control centre was launched at the Karachi Fish Harbour on Monday evening.

In his inaugural speech, senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq said that the VHF (very high frequency) communication equipment was being installed in boats for the first time and they would benefit fishermen not only in Pakistan but also in other countries of Saarc region.

The minister said that in the absence of a communication link with the ground control, the fishermen suffered a lot at the time of distress in the high seas.

For quite some time, the Maritime Security Agency and other security agencies had been insisting on installation of a wireless communication system and other life-saving equipment, including trackers, life jackets and buoys, in fishing vessels for the safety of fishermen, he said.

He said problems of fishermen had multiplied over the years, as the previous government completely neglected the fisheries sector. He said it was due to some past mistakes that European Union countries imposed a ban on the import of Pakistani seafood. The ban badly affected the income of fishermen and the earning of foreign exchange, which earlier had reached 183 million dollars, he added.

However, the minister said, the present government introduced alternative means to boost seafood exports to Japan, China and Korea. Now, the foreign exchange had reached 213 million dollars, he added.He said the political party that was voted into power by the poor, including fishermen, was giving top priority to their problems. He also lauded the role of the Fishermen Cooperative Society for constantly striving for the welfare of the fishing community.

The minister said that the government had already abolished the contract system for inland fishing, while infrastructure facilities were being introduced in the coastal areas. He recalled the development projects completed by the party in Ibrahim Hyderi, Baba, Bhit and Shamspir.

Shrimp hatchery

He said the government was planning to reactivate the shrimp hatchery project at Hawksbay for which the federal government provided a fund of Rs13 million.

The senior minister, who holds the portfolio of education and literacy, said that he had also issued orders for carrying out a survey of schools in fishermen’s villages. He pledged that schools would be renovated once the survey was completed.

He appealed to fishermen to adopt technical education.

Administrator of the Fishermen Cooperative Society Mohammad Jaffar Khawaja earlier welcomed the chief guest and briefed the audience about welfare activities of the Society, saying that since the new administration took over, its revenue had increased. As a result, he said, fishermen welfare activities also increased.

He said that the FCS elections would be held only after the completion of new membership drive, saying that the Society’s membership was open to fishermen.

Provincial ministers Zahid Ali Burghari, Abdul Jalil Memon, Akhtar Husain Jadoon, Haji Muzafar Ali Shujra and FCS manager Haji Wali Mohammad also spoke. Former FCS administrator Altaf Husain Khawaja, FCS adviser Abuzar and senior officials of the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority and representatives of the seafood industry were present.