Illegal Trawling Sparks Outcry from Baloch Fishermen; Call for Immediate Crackdown

HUB:Fishermen in Hub have once again issued a stern warning to the Balochistan government and senior officials over the continued devastation caused by illegal trawling in the Arabian Sea, accusing the so-called “trawler mafia” of turning the sea into a free-for-all loot market.

Local fishermen claim that the illegal activities are not only destroying marine life but also robbing them of their primary source of livelihood. They allege that officials in the Fisheries Department are complicit, more focused on taking bribes and personal gains than protecting the rights of coastal communities.

The fishermen called upon Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Minister for Cooperatives and Agriculture Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, Secretary Fisheries Tariq Qamar, and Chairman Balochistan Fishermen Cooperative Society Limited to immediately launch a decisive crackdown on illegal trawlers. “If urgent action is not taken, we will have no choice but to take to the streets and launch a protest movement,” they warned.

“These seas are our lifeline,” said one fisherman. “If illegal trawling is not stopped and we are not provided with proper welfare support and fishing nets, the situation will spiral out of control. The government will be solely responsible for the consequences.”

Chairman of the Balochistan Fishermen Cooperative Society, **Mir Ali Akbar Zehri**, also issued a strong statement, reaffirming his commitment to protecting the rights and livelihoods of local fishermen. “Our top priority is the protection of fishermen and their livelihood. The Cooperative Society will become their voice on every platform,” he stated.

Zehri condemned illegal trawling as a direct assault on the economic survival of coastal communities, blaming certain fisheries officials for turning a blind eye while mafias plunder the sea. “These officials’ negligence is pushing fishermen toward starvation,” he added.

He urged authorities to immediately provide fishing nets, basic facilities, and welfare programs so that fishermen can earn an honorable living for their families. “If illegal trawling continues and the genuine demands of fishermen are ignored, a protest campaign will be launched, and the responsibility will lie squarely with the concerned institutions,” Zehri concluded.