I S L A M A B A D : Recreational fishermen have stated their frustration over the illegal use of nets to fish in Rawal Lake.

Visitors to the lake stated that the illegal use of nets to fish continues unabated, and is a clear violation of the ban imposed by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Visitors have to pay Rs200 for one day license fee, and many say their fishing trips are largely unsuccessful due to the use of illegal nets by fishermen. They also said the fee is too high.

`Floating nets and ropes in the lake are proof that illegal fishing is going on under the Fisheries department`s nose,` Zahid Malik, a frequent visitor, said.

He said no one could fish illegally without the involvement of officials from the Fisheries department, and added that fishermen`s equipment is only confiscated when complaints are launched and is often returned for a fee.

Malik said stalls selling fish on nearby roads claiming their fish came from the lake is a clear indication that the activity is being carried out by many as a source of income.

Adnan Shah, another visitor, said no fish seed has been added to the lake over the last few months.

When contacted, the deputy director of the ICT Fisheries department, Ghufran Shahzad, said the department is conducting raids to monitor illegal activity. He said the department has confiscated 1,200 nets over the past three years, and issued eight tickets this month alone. -APP