Fisheries committee meets outside Quetta for first time, consults on Aquaculture Bill 2026

GWADAR: The Balochistan Assembly’s standing committee on the Fisheries Department held a consultative meeting in Gwadar on the proposed Balochistan Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2026 and reforms in the department. The meeting was chaired by the committee’s chairman, MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch.

The committee members present included Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, MPA Abdul Majeed Badini and MPA Zafar Agha. Provincial Secretary Fisheries Tariq Qamar, the Additional Secretary Law and the Secretary of the Balochistan Assembly also attended. Others present included Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch, Gwadar Development Authority Director General Moin-ur-Rehman Khan, Balochistan Director General Fisheries Atiqullah Khan and Director Fisheries Ahmed Nadeem, along with other officials of the Fisheries Department, fishermen, political and social figures, experts and other stakeholders.

The meeting gave detailed consideration to various aspects of the proposed law. These included bringing the fisheries sector in line with modern requirements, protecting the rights of fishermen and marine life, promoting aquaculture, and setting up an effective legal and administrative system. Participants were told that, in preparing the bill, several consultative meetings had been held at different levels with experts, fishermen and relevant institutions over the past two to two and a half years. The draft was prepared in the light of those meetings.

Illegal trawling and fishing season closure

Fishermen described illegal trawling, wire nets and other banned nets as a serious threat to marine life and the environment. They called for their complete elimination. Participants agreed that a fishing season closure policy should be framed on scientific grounds, keeping in view the breeding periods of fish, so that marine resources are protected.

Proposals were also made on activating the research wing of the Fisheries Department, collecting authentic data, making the Fisheries Council’s role effective, and ensuring transparent distribution of funds and assistance meant for fishermen.

Committee Chairman Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch said that, before the proposed law is finalised, special weight will be given to the views of local fishermen and all stakeholders. He said the aim is a legal framework fully in line with the interests of fishermen, the protection of marine resources and the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Administrative reforms in the Fisheries Department

The meeting also considered proposed reforms in the administrative structure of the Fisheries Department. These included merging relevant employees of various institutions into the department and creating the Directorate of Harbour and Coastal Development, the Directorate of Marine and the Directorate of Inland.

The Secretary Fisheries gave participants a detailed briefing on various aspects of the proposed law and reforms. Questions, answers and consultation then continued for about three hours. The participants’ proposals, concerns and recommendations were placed on record.

Participants stressed that comprehensive and workable legislation is an urgent need for sustainable development in the fisheries sector, protection of fishermen’s rights, promotion of modern technology and effective management of marine and water resources. The meeting was told that, once the consultation is complete, the proposals received will be included in the bill. After all legal and constitutional steps are completed, the draft will be presented for approval.

It may be noted that this was the first time the Balochistan Assembly’s standing committee on fisheries met outside Quetta, in Gwadar. The move was described as an important step towards involving local stakeholders in the fisheries sector directly in the consultation process.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan