Women of Jati Town Rely on Trash Fish to Alleviate Hunger
The coastal areas of Sindh, particularly in the Sujawal district, have been facing a severe water crisis for decades. The scarcity of freshwater lakes has led to a decline in fish populations, forcing residents to opt for unsuitable and unsafe fishing methods. Women in villages near Jati town have become the most affected, with many relying on small, partially dried ponds and water channels to catch fish.
Methods Used by Fishermen
• Haliman and Sukhan, residents of a village in Sujawal district, use buckets made of thin cloth attached to a stick to catch fish from partially dried ponds and water channels. • The coastal regions of Sindh have a long fishing tradition, with the Indus River and the Arabian Sea providing a vital source of livelihood for the communities living along the coast. • The fishermen use various methods, including fishing nets and traps, to catch fish.
Impact of Water Scarcity
• The ongoing water crisis has affected the biodiversity of the region, leading to the extinction of several fish species. • The water scarcity has caused a significant drop in the water level at local freshwater lakes, with some drying up completely. • Sea intrusion has contributed to the devastation of freshwater lakes, affecting the fishing community.
Fish Species Found in the Region
• Local fish species, such as theli (Catla), dayo (tilapia), khagga (cat fish) and mundo (black fish), are found in many nearby lakes, ponds, and water channels. • These fish species are used as daily food by the local fishermen community, but their populations are declining due to the water crisis.
Environmental Degradation
• The coastal region of Sindh has been degrading for decades, with the fishermen being the worst sufferers. • The extinction of several fish species, destruction of freshwater lakes, and scarcity of water have all contributed to the degradation of the environment. • The fishing community has been among the most underprivileged communities in the country, directly affected by the shifting weather availability patterns and the impacts of climate change.
• Many families of fishermen have migrated to other districts of Sindh, such as Jamshoro, Nawabshah, Sanghar, and Dadu, in search of a living. • Journalist Iqbal Jakhro says that government initiatives have not had much success due to rampant corruption and a failure to foster awareness among the beneficiary communities. • NGOs like the Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum and Coastal Development Organisations have made consistent efforts to improve the quality of life of the fishermen, but their efforts have been met with limited success.
• Women in the region have taken on the responsibility of fishing, using methods such as the “jhol” (fish trap) and dupatta (scarf) as a net. • They use local fish species as daily food, but their efforts are often hampered by the scarcity of water and the decline in fish populations.
“Tenualosa ilisha, locally called palla; gudusia chaprais, commonly called the pallery; barbus saranais, belonging to the family cyprinidae and commonly known as popro; and cirrhinus mrigala, locally known as morakhee, are all on the verge of extinction,” Hanif Malah warns.
The fishing community in Sindh is facing a severe crisis due to the scarcity of water and the decline in fish populations. The women of Jati town are taking on the responsibility of fishing, using methods such as the “jhol” and dupatta, but their efforts are often hampered by the scarcity of water and the decline in fish populations. The government and NGOs have launched initiatives to improve the quality of life of the fishermen, but their efforts have been met with limited success. The future of the fishing community in Sindh hangs in the balance, and urgent action is needed to address the crisis and ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry.
