THATTA: The fishing communities residing along the coastlines of Thatta, Badin, Karachi, and Sujawal districts are facing increased misery following a ban on crab exports to China. Government authorities have suspended the supply of crabs from Pakistan's coastal areas for the past two weeks without providing a specific reason for the decision.
Reservations regarding the export ban were expressed by members of the Fishermen Welfare Society and the Sindh Coastal Belt Association. During a press conference held at a local press club in Thatta, Majeed Thaheem and other representatives of the Association claimed that the suspension has impacted nearly one million people across Sindh’s coastal belt who rely, directly or indirectly, on the crab catching and supply trade.
"Owing to the cessation of the crab supply, Pakistan has suffered a financial loss of 50 million," stated Majeed Thaheem. Local fishermen leader Abdul Rahim Malah further noted that they had already been struggling with sub-standard prices in the Karachi market for several months; while this business previously served as a financial boon for the community, he stated that the current export ban has shattered their remaining hopes.
Although local fishermen traditionally rely on crabs as their primary source of livelihood during the winter, the ongoing restrictions have prevented the season from being beneficial this year. Consequently, the affected communities have urged the provincial government, the federal government, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to take immediate steps to lift the ban on crab exports.