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Pakistan’s EEZ is enormously rich
both in living and non-living resources. Efforts are in hand at various
levels to explore, exploit and benefit from these resources. Prior to the establishment of PMSA, fishing boats of neighbouring countries had been involved in illegal fishing on a large
scale in the region adjacent to Indus delta, causing a huge loss to
national exchequer. PMSA since inception has been striving hard to keep
this zone under effective surveillance to ensure protection of our
resources. PMSA has been successful in curbing
these
illegal fishing activities to a large extent.
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Protecting the
sea resources |
POACHING BY INDIAN FISHERMEN IN THE EEZ OF PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is rich in both living and non-living resources. Most significantly, the Indus Delta region is abundant with the prime quality fish and a most attractive lure for fishermen. On the other hand such a delta is not available in the entire Indian Gujrat region. Indian fishermen therefore deliberately violate the international boundaries and indulge in poaching in Pakistan’s EEZ, especially in the Indus Delta region.
All Indian fishing boats are fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) on board and the exact position of the boat, at all times, is well known to the crew. These fishermen mainly sail from Okha or Porbandar in India, which are around 115 NM (148 Km) and 135 NM (250 Km) ( Nautical Mile = 1.85 Km) respectively from our EEZ. The boats travel even further ahead of the EEZ marked boundary and their deliberate acts of intrusion are done well within Pakistani waters. Violators are apprehended at times even up to 100 nautical miles inside our waters. These incursions are not restricted to a few but quite often in hundreds. The lure of the rich fish catch is extremely attractive and worth taking a calculated risk vis-à-vis the expected return. Moreover, the nets used by them are internationally banned, due to their very small openings. These nets, when used for trawling, sweep the sea bottom and practically eradicate all forms of marine life. The consequences of such inhuman practices and blatant violation of international norms are most disastrous on the ecosystem. Such poaching activities, besides depleting the highly priced marine species in our region, not only cause enormous revenue loss to the Government Exchequer but also deprive the poor fishing community of Pakistan of their livelihood and honourable means of sustenance.
On the contrary, any crossing by Pakistani fishermen into the Indian EEZ is indeed inadvertent as there is no fishing attraction in the Indian waters. From January till end May 2011, about 2200 Indian fishing boats were reported operating in our EEZ. This translates into a revenue loss of approximately Rs. 8.1 Billion/annum.
The vast majority of these boats were cleared off by PMSA ships. Only 37 boats along with 134 Indian fishermen, who were fishing more than 70 NMs inside our EEZ, were apprehended. However, during the same period, only 5 Pakistani fishing boats were reportedly apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard units, and that too in close proximity of the maritime boundary between the two countries.
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency remains committed to protect and safeguard national interests in the Maritime Zones of Pakistan. It will continue to ward off poachers and guard against other illegal activities, in order to makes our sea safe and secure for the country.
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