The soaring petroleum prices in the country have forced the fishermen to rely more on Iranian fuel to lower their rising cost of operation on sea. “The increasing fuel prices largely pulled down landing of fisheries products for high cost of catch with low returns,” said President Sindh Trawlers Owners and Fishermen Association, Habibullah Khan Niazi on Saturday.
Fishing activities also slumped at harbour with lowering catch size for dull operation, he said, adding that the deep-sea boats are faced with soaring cost of trawling in the wake of diesel price surge. “Cost of trawling for fishing and shrimp catch has grown between Rs 10, 000 and Rs 100, 000 depending on the size of a boat and its engine since fuel became costlier,” he said, adding that the fishing boats now attempt fill Iranian fuel at Gwadar or Jewni to scald down cost. “Iranian oil is cheaper as compared to the prices of fuel in the city,” he said, adding that the vanishing shrimp catch has also put a negative impact on the fishermen livelihood.
“Just 20 percent landing of shrimp is taking place at present as season of catch is almost ended. However, tuna, saram, suwa and squid are now available in ample volume on sea but declining fish prices have also hit hard the fishermen,” he said.
