KARACHI: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) celebrated the World Fisheries Day on Thursday with a renewed commitment to continue the struggle for the protection of fishermen’ rights.

The day, which is celebrated annually on Nov 21, aims at drawing attention to overfishing and habitat destruction to recognise the importance of fisheries, the people who work in them and the challenges they face.

The main purpose behind this day is to highlight the importance of sustainable stocks of fish in the world, strengthen human rights for the small-scale fishing communities, make a true difference in the working conditions of fishing communities and other serious threats to the sustainability of marine and freshwater resources.

The PFF leadership organised the World Fisheries Day celebrations at the Motani Jetty in Ibrahim Hyderi where hundreds of fisherfolk, including men, women and children, as well as members of civil society gathered. Fishermen from Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad and other districts also participated in the celebration.

PFF’s chairperson Ghulam Mustafa Mirani said that they would guard the rights of fisherfolk. He said the day is celebrated every year on Nov 21 throughout the world by the fisherfolk communities. Since its inception in 1998, the PFF, too, has been celebrating and observing this event every year.

He said that more than three million fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan depended on fishing, mostly in the creek areas, for their livelihood. In order to reduce marine pollution, no industrial as well as residential waste was to be discharged into the sea without treatment, he said.

PFF’s senior vice chairperson Fatima Majeed demanded of the government to immediately announce elections in the Fishermen Cooperative Society so that the real representatives of the fishing community could run it.

Forum’s general secretary Saeed Baloch said that both Pakistan and India must stop arresting fishermen. He also demanded the release of Pakistani fishermen imprisoned in Indian jails.

Those also spoke on the occasion included president of PS-87 Jan Alam Jamot, Ibrahim Hydri Town chairman Nazir Bhutto, Asad Iqbal Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Nasir Mansoor of the National Trade Union Federation, Saima Zia and Zaigum Abbas from the Asian Movements of Debt and Development, PFF Karachi president Majeed Motani besides Ayoub Shan, Talib Kuchhi, Latif Dorai, Haji Ali from Baba Bhit Islands, Gulab Shah and Yaqoob Ohto from Thatta also spoke.

A colourful cultural programme was also held, comprising songs and tableaux, to highlight the issues of fisherfolk.

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2024