KARACHI (HRNW) – In a significant move to safeguard marine ecosystems and regulate the fishing industry, Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nihal Hashmi has officially signed the Sindh Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2026 into law.
Strengthening Marine Conservation
The newly approved legislation introduces comprehensive reforms aimed at modernizing the province’s fishery management system. The primary focus of the amendments is to ensure the sustainability of marine life and to curb practices that lead to overfishing and habitat destruction in Sindh’s coastal waters.
Strict Penalties and Fines
The 2026 Amendment significantly raises the cost of non-compliance. Under the new legal framework:
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General Violations: Fines for violating fisheries regulations have been increased up to Rs 100,000.
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Unlicensed Operations: Any processing plant or factory found operating without a valid license will face a fine of Rs 50,000.
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Illegal Fishing: Authorities have been granted expanded powers to take strict action against individuals fishing without licenses or using prohibited gear, such as banned nets.
Environmental and Trade Regulations
The Bill also addresses the industrial and commercial aspects of the sector:
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Pollution Control: For the first time, specific penalties have been set for factories that discharge industrial waste into water bodies or contribute to environmental pollution.
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Market Monitoring: A crackdown has been announced against the illegal purchase, sale, and trade of fish caught through unauthorized means.
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