Disclaimer note - WWF - Pakistan

Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
In addition the boats may be, particularly if large, be “owned” by a group of
investors, who also receive a portion of the catch. One may own the hull, another
engine, and yet another net. The division of the proceeds of the catch after
repayments is in Keti Bandar) reported to be:-
• Net – 6 shares (“patti” or “pati”)
• Boat – 2 shares
• Engine – 6 shares
• Owner – 1 share
• Khalasi – 1 share (crew/labor)
Similarly, and illustrating the variety of systems, the shares after an 8 day trip are
also described as being fivefold with two shares to the boat owner, and 3 to the
crew, the catch being owned by the middleman. Another variation, reported by
Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department 30 in 1999 for large gill-netters and trawlers
of 9 to 15 m length with 6 to 15 crew was:-
• Engine owner – 2 patis
• Net owner – 2 patis
• Boat owner – 1 patis
• Driver/captain – 1.5 patis
• Crew – patis divided equally
The same reference comments that on larger trawlers and gill-netters there is a
system of at least 60 pattis (shares) with 50% to the owner, 6 patis to the captain
and his assistants and the rest divided equally among the crew.
In short the system of dividing up the catch proceeds amongst the crew is varied.
Fishermen report being harassed by customs officials, the coastguard, the navy,
American Naval boats undertaking anti terrorist operations and the Karachi Port
Trust. These organizations merely add to their problems.
3.5.8.7 The contract system
The contract system was introduced in Badin District on the inland sea in 1977
and was intended to cover the areas close to the Indian Border. It expanded until
it covered large tracts of land and many water bodies, some in Thatta. Under the
contract system the fishermen were obliged to sell their catch to powerful men
who had bought contracts from the Rangers. The Rangers were meant to pay for
their rights to the Sindh Fisheries Department, but apparently did not. Contractors
paid as little as 7% of the retail value of the product (usually small shrimp). The
Rangers enforced the system. This system was seen a very unjust and following
agitation by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum the system was abolished in 2005. It
has been replaced by a license system, and it remains to be seen how many of
the existing fishermen will obtain licenses, and to what degree their situation will
be alleviated.
3.5.8.8 Tuna fisheries
Along the coast of Pakistan a very specific established commercial Tuna fishery
exists the species belong to genus Thunnus of the family Scombridae. Tuna are
great in demand in the world markets. Tuna fishery is exploited both from coastal
waters and from off shore waters. In the coastal waters local boats operate with
long lines and off shore fishing is mainly permitted to Chinese and Vietnamese
factory ships. Locally caught species are Thunnus tonggoi, Tuna nei and
Scomberomorues sp. Associated with the tuna species the local fishermen catch
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 84 of 188