Fishermen. Photo: Express
KARACHI:
Rising fuel prices have intensified the financial difficulties faced by deep-sea fishermen, as the cost of operating diesel-powered boats and fishing launches continues to rise.
Rising fuel prices have significantly increased the operational expenses of fishermen, who rely primarily on diesel engines to power both large fishing launches and small boats.
In addition to fuel costs, expenses for ice, fishing nets, food for long trips and other necessities are also expected to increase significantly.
This comes as the fishing community is already grappling with declining revenues due to uncertainty in global seafood markets, making the latest increase in fuel prices an added burden. Pakistani fishermen who spend days and nights on the high seas catching fish, shrimp and other marine life are gradually beginning to feel the impact of the current extraordinary situation.
All vessels used for short and long fishing trips operate on diesel engines, making fuel the major operating expense of fishing operations.
According to Kamal Shah of the Coastal Media Centre, fuel prices have reached extremely high levels, significantly increasing operational costs for fishermen.
He added that fishermen also face 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 boat operations.
“When diesel and gasoline prices rise, the impact is not limited to fuel for boats. 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 closer to hunger and poverty.
He added that when international seafood prices fall and exports plummet, large food companies and large seafood traders often profit, while poor fishermen and coastal communities bear the brunt of the losses.
Shah urged the government to introduce diesel subsidies for fishermen, adopt better policies for seafood exports and ensure economic protection for coastal communities.
