Most unfortunately, there is a general misperception in the local public about these blatant illegal acts committed by the Indian fisherman. It is mostly thought that the Indian fishermen accidentally enter Pakistani waters and are innocent ‘inadvertent crossers’. Convicted fisherman, when interviewed by the media purport the same view, which is taken at face value. NGOs, humanitarian organisations, respectable members of society etc, in innocence, naivety and lack of adequate knowledge, adopt the same stance and project the fishermen as hapless victims of circumstances which were beyond their control. Arrests are blamed on the insensitivity and highhandedness of local law enforcement agencies. However, nothing could be more being further from the truth. It is pertinent to mention that Indian fishermen commit deliberate poaching in our waters. It must be highlighted that all the Indian fishing boats today are fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) on board and the exact position of the boat, at all times, is well known to the crew. These fishermen mainly sail from Okha or Porbandar in India, which are around 115NM (148-km) and 135NM (250-km) (Nautical Mile = 1.85-km) respectively from our EEZ. The boats travel even further ahead of the EEZ and their deliberate acts of intrusion are done well within Pakistan’s waters. Violators are apprehended even 100 nautical miles inside our waters. These incursions are not restricted to a few so termed ‘innocent inadvertent crossers’ but at occasions number over 300 boats.

The lure of the rich fish catch is extremely attractive and worth taking a calculated risk vis-à-vis the expected return. This is a visible and evident indication of the mal intent of the Indian fishermen who intentionally ingress deep into Pakistan’s Maritime Zone for illegal fishing. Moreover, the nets used by them are internationally banned, due to their very small mesh size. These nets, when used for trawling, sweep the sea and practically eradicate all forms of marine life. The consequences of such inhuman practices and blatant violation of international norms are most disastrous on our ecosystem, which can be well visualized. Such poaching activities, besides depleting the highly priced marine species in our region, not only cause enormous revenue loss to the government exchequer but also deprive the poor fishing community of Pakistan of their livelihood and honourable means of sustenance. On the contrary, any crossing by Pakistani fishermen into the Indian EEZ is indeed inadvertent as there is no fishing attraction in Indian waters. From January 2011 till end April, 4799 Indian fishing boats were reported operating in our EEZ. The vast majority of these boats were cleared off.

Only 37 boats along with 134 Indian fishermen, who were fishing more than 70NMs inside our EEZ, were apprehended. However, during the same period, only five Pakistani fishing boats were maliciously apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard units, and that too in close proximity of the EEZ demarcation. The data of apprehended Indian fishing boats and fishermen clearly reflects the mal intent and deliberate intrusion, aimed at poaching in our EEZ. A ‘Hot Line’ was earlier established in November 2006 for exchange of information and coordination between the two director generals. The intrusions are regularly conveyed to Indian Coast Guard. Regrettably, the response has at best been lukewarm and no effective action to curb the ingress has been taken, indicating tacit State approval of this criminal activity. On passing of the recent monsoon period, the poaching activity again recommenced mid September 2011 onwards.

A few figures are cited, as shown in table given below. The extent of the illegal activity in this short span is an indication of the attractive lure despite the ever-looming peril of apprehension. However, regular patrolling and clearing of these fishermen by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ships has progressively resulted in substantial decrease in the presence of Indian boats. During the past three weeks, 31 boats and 130 crew members have been apprehended, which is but a mere drop in the ocean. During the trials of Indian Fishermen, a humanitarian view is also accorded by Pakistani Courts, which award light sentences from one to three years for this deliberate illegal activity. Frequently, as a goodwill gesture, the Government of Pakistan releases them before the end of their sentence. On the contrary, Indian law enforcement agencies mete out very harsh punishment to Pakistani fishermen and they are kept away from the judicial process for a long time.