Fishermen. Photo: Express
KARACHI:
Rising fuel prices have intensified the financial difficulties faced by those involved in deep-sea fishing, as the cost of operating diesel-powered fishing boats and boats continues to rise.
Rising fuel prices have sharply increased the operating expenses of fishermen, who rely primarily on diesel engines to power both large fishing boats and smaller vessels.
In addition to fuel costs, expenses related to ice, fishing nets, food supplies for long trips and other needs are also expected to increase significantly.
This comes as the fishing community has already been dealing with a decline in income due to uncertainty in global seafood markets, making the latest fuel price increase an additional burden. Pakistani fishermen who spend days and nights in the open sea catching fish, shrimp and other marine life have gradually begun to feel the impact of the current extraordinary situation.
All boats used for fishing trips, both short and long, are powered by diesel engines, making fuel the largest operating expense of fishing operations.
According to Kamal Shah of the Coastal Media Centre, fuel prices have reached extremely high levels, significantly increasing operating costs for fishermen.
He said fishermen are also facing difficulties because international markets do not offer favorable prices for fish and shrimp, while declining exports and uncertainty in global markets are affecting incomes. Shah said the impact of rising fuel prices goes beyond ship operations.
“When diesel and gasoline prices rise, the impact is not limited to boat fuel. The costs of ice, food, fishing nets, rations and other essential supplies also increase,” he explained.
Under such conditions, many fishermen are forced to stop going to sea because expenses become too high, pushing their families to the brink of hunger and poverty.
He added that when international seafood prices decline and exports decline, large food companies and major seafood traders often benefit from the situation, while poor fishermen and coastal communities bear the brunt of the losses.
Shah urged the government to introduce diesel subsidies for fishermen, adopt improved policies for seafood exports and ensure economic protection for coastal communities.
