According to Umar Jatt, resource person for the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Sindh and Balochistan, “Mangroves are essential not only for the conservation of the delicate eco-system but also as shields against cyclones and tropical storms, thereby reducing the risk that most coastal cities face in the wake of landfall.” Besides this, they provide fertile breeding ground for prawns and shrimps and if not looked after might lead to their extinction.

But when daily existence is at stake, there is little a community could care for long term gain. “We are forbidden from cutting mangroves to preserve the environment,” says Khamiso, who resides in Keti Bandar, a small port town in Sindh's Thatta district. But what options does one have when earnings are less than the expenditure incurred on a fishing trip? “Not much,” says Khamiso, “when forced to choose between our families and the ecosystem, the choice is obvious.”

Moreover, surviving through the ban on fishing during the months of June and July is extremely challenging. Sources believe that lack of resources, especially during this time, intensifies the risks of mangrove depletion, for it is usually during this time that these saline shrub lands are cut down to make ends meet.

Sultan Jatt, former councillor at Rehri Goth, a small fishing village situated on the outskirts of Karachi in the vicinity of Bin Qasim Town, believes that the problems that plague the fishing community are many, but almost all stem from poverty and lack of resources, which consequently affect the environment. He blames the government policies and lack of interest in the community's welfare as the main cause for this. A case in point is that of Saleh Mohammad, who has been in the fishing business since 1962. “I had three fishing launches, but am now left with only three small fishing boats.” Mohammad, who handed over his launches to money lenders to pay off the loans that he took to finance his fishing expeditions, believes that most fishermen, in order to run their business, enter a vicious credit cycle, which is offered on high rates by loaders, who usually take the catch to the market. “We are bound to sell the catch to them for whatever rate they quote, for if we don't we risk losing all we have,” asserts Khamiso.

The catch, according to most fishermen, would go off because of lack of access to proper transportation and freezing facilities and the loaders, whom they had borrowed money from, would demand the return of the loaned amount all at once creating grave problems for them.

Mohammad asserts that many of their problems could be resolved if the Fishermen Corporate Society that takes three per cent off every catch, played a positive role. “When I began to fish in 1962, even then the Society took three per cent, but later returned one per cent. Now although they deduct the same amount, we receive no returns.”

It is useful to note that the Fishermen Corporate Society is a semi-government body, under obligation to develop fishing communities; however, almost all such localities remain void of basic facilities. “We have no access to potable water, health and education,” says Sultan Jatt, as he laments the existence of a community hospital sans staff at Rehri.

Criticising the Balochistan Sea and Fisheries Ordinance, the fishermen in Sindh lament the lack of such legislation there. “There are no laws to prevent such intrusion,” reveals Mohammad “the federal government issues licenses to foreign companies that drain our waters of all resources.” He adds that these foreign fishing trawlers that maraud our waters, besides depriving local fishermen of their livelihood destroy the marine habitat too, for they throw waste and decayed fish back into the sea thereby causing fish species to die due to the decay.

Besides this, Industrial waste that permeates the water through sewerage lines especially in Karachi is a major issue. There are seven such sewerage lines that drop into the Arabian Sea basin in Rehri Goth. “People in our locality suffer from skin disease,” says Mohammad.

The fishermen suggest the need for micro-financing and hope that the government would pay heed to their woes. They believe that once rid of monetary problems they could help preserve the natural habitat that is crucial for the survival of all.