Illegal trawling in coastal areas of Balochistan has long been a pressing issue yet little has been done to curb this destructive practice. As Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, rightly pointed out, illegal trawling is pushing marine life to the brink of extinction, threatening livelihoods of local fishermen and overall ecosystem. The Chief Minister’s strong stance on this matter is a welcome development and it is hoped that this will lead to concrete actions to protect both environment and people who rely on the sea for their sustenance.
For years, Gwadar’s local fishermen have raised their voices against illegal activities of modern, unregulated trawlers — both local and foreign — that indiscriminately strip the seas of fish, leaving little behind for traditional fishermen who have relied on these waters for generations.
The large-scale, often illegal, fishing operations not only deplete marine resources but also leave local community helpless in the face of modern fishing technologies. It is heartening to see that the Chief Minister has expressed strong concern over the issue, and this renewed focus offers hope that real action will follow. Taking a hard stance against illegal trawling is not just an environmental necessity, but also a matter of urgent economic importance for people of Gwadar and surrounding coastal areas. Those involved in illegal fishing must be held accountable.
The law enforcement agencies need to take strict action against them. Without firm legal action, the problem will persist further exacerbating suffering of local communities and depletion of marine resources. Government must ensure that interests of ordinary fishermen are protected and that they are not left at the mercy of unregulated industrial-scale fishing operations.
In addition, a more comprehensive approach should be developed to support local fishing community. Fishermen in Gwadar and other coastal regions need assistance in adapting to modern fishing practices in a sustainable manner. Introducing new technologies, improving training and providing access to better equipment will enable them to compete in modern fishing industry without compromising health of marine ecosystem.
