Pakistan: The impact of declining fish stocks along Karachi's 129-km-long coastline has been sadly felt by the increase in suicide incidents, particularly amongst young married men.
The livelihood of about 80,000 people has been affected by the decline in catches. Fishermen now say that they do not even catch enough to cover their expenses such as the price of diesel or the rations they use for a trip.
For many, fishing is the sole source of income and despite the implications, their love for their work means that many have never considered giving up and working in factories nearby.
Many fishermen now rely on catching crabs in the sea mud to ensure the survival of families.
One fisherman from Salehabad Island in Keamari told The News International that they had never seen such a decline in the past, and that they did not understand the reason behind it. He said that the fishermen felt the decline because they started to earn less everyday and eventually returned home without any catch.
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum spokesman Sami Memon said that the fishermen were having a hard time and that authorities concerned had failed to pay serious attention to their situation.
