The Fishing Industry in Pakistan

By the end of this chapter, we should be able to:

 describe the fishing methods used in both marine and inland waters,
including fish farms
 give examples of the fish caught in both marine and inland waters, and of
the fish reared on fish farms
 give examples of the fishing ports on both the Balochistan and Sindh coasts
 describe the uses of the fish caught
 explain improvements in fishing methods and processing techniques
 understand the problems facing the fishing industry and evaluate the
possibilities for its further development and sustainability.

HOW CAN SUBSISTENCE FISHING METHODS BE IMPROVED?

Subsistence fishing occurs only in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan. The
main methods of subsistence fishing are:
o Fishermen use small wooden sailboats
o Traditional, handmade nets are used
o Angling or ‘rod and line’ method is used
o No part of the process is mechanized
o Fish are stored in baskets of ice before consumption

However, these methods can be improved to make fishing commercial through the
provision and use of
o Mechanized boats with engines which can go further off shore and stay at sea
for several days, therefore catching more fish, e.g. trawlers
o Mechanized equipment such as winches
o Nylon nets, which are stronger than traditional nets, as well as gill nets and
trawl nets
o Boats that have the capacity and technology for chilled storage so that large
amounts of catch can be adequately stored
before sale NOTE:
o Radios and satellite navigation Many of these methods can
o Sonar to locate fish more easily also be used to improve
marine fishing methods in
o Weather forecasting general, not just subsistence
o Education and training for fishermen fishing
o Loans for investment
CHALLENGES TO THE MARINE FISHING INDUSTRY
There are many challenges to the development of the marine fishing industry
other than outdated fishing methods, particularly in Balochistan with its poor
infrastructure, lacking roads/ railways for transport of catch. Added to this are
power shortages and scarcity of clean, fresh water which adversely affect fish
processing. Moreover, poor telecommunication creates obstacles for successful
marketing. Rampant illiteracy and lack of proper training with regards to fishing add
further problems as skilled labour for the development of fishing is scarce. In order to
improve the industry, such issues need to be addressed.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

MARINE VS. INLAND FISHING – WHY IS IT THAT INLAND FISHERIES

PROVIDE MORE EMPLOYMENT DESPITE SMALLER PROPORTION OF
CATCH?
o More people live near rivers and lakes inland than do on the coast
o There are more jobs associated with inland fisheries, for example, people
are required for the maintenance of ponds, for feeding and taking care of
fish in fish farms and for harvesting fish once its mature. People also work
in hatcheries and other related jobs.
o The government has encouraged and provided loans for investment in
fishing which has led to the growth of fish farms across Pakistan

WHAT HAPPENS TO FISH ONCE IT IS CAUGHT?

Once fish is caught, it naturally needs to be stored and processed properly till
the time of sale. If the fish is not properly stored or processed, it will start to go bad
and all the fishermen’s efforts will have gone to waste! Thus, fish must be frozen or
refrigerated to prevent that from happening. Other methods include gutting,
filleting, drying, salting and canning of fish.
Processing of fish is also important because it adds value to the fish i.e. fish
can be sold for a greater price, earning more profit. As a result, processed fish, such
as canned or frozen fish is called ‘value-added’ product.
SHOULD FISH PROCESSING INDUSTRIES BE DEVELOPED ALONG
THE MAKRAN COAST?
Currently, most of the fish processing occurs in Karachi. However, many ports
in Balochistan have the potential for development. In fact, this development is
already slowly taking place. As a result, it is important for us to stop and think about
the possible benefits and drawbacks of such development.

ADVANTAGES
 Increase the quantity of value-
added products like canned
fish, leading to more profits
 stimulate development of port
facilities other than processing
as well and help further the
fishing industry
 Infrastructure development in
Balochistan e.g. roads and
telecommunication
 Developing Gwadar will reduce
transport costs as catch from
the Makran coast will not have
to be transported to Karachi for
processing; this will also ensure
that there are less delays and
catch is fresh
 Increased contact and trade
e.g. with the Middle East may
lead to foreign investment in the
region
 Increase in employment,
income, housing in Balochistan
leading to overall betterment of
living standards for Baloch men
and women
DISADVANTAGES
 Lack of infrastructure will increase cost
of developing processing facilities
 Smaller population means smaller
markets for fish within Balochistan as
opposed to major population centres
like Karachi. The fish will thus be a long
way from major markets
 Unskilled population means scarcity of
qualified people to work in the
processing facilities
 Lack of interest from investors
drastically increases the cost of
development
 Water pollution near Makran coast due
to processing
 May lead to an increase in urban
population which has many adverse
effects on the environment (e.g.
increased air, water and land pollution)
 Because of the poor quality of
Pakistan’s canned fish (due to
unhygienic conditions in factories, lack
of strict law enforcement etc.), it is
banned in many countries. Thus
spending money to develop more
processing industries may not lead to a
similar increase in profits

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE FISHING INDUSTRY?

The fishing industry is extremely important for Pakistan. Fish are a source of
nutritious, low cholesterol white meat. They are rich in proteins and vitamins A and
D. Additionally, they provide employment and are a source of income for hundreds
of thousands of people across Pakistan. Additionally, export of fish and shrimps to
Japan, U.S.A, U.K., France and the Middle East allows Pakistan to earn foreign
exchange. Finally, even fish waste can be used for other industries, e.g. fish bones
can be used to make fertilizers.
 FISH FARMS – INLAND FISHING
TYPES OF FISH FARMS
There are various types of fish farms built according to the budget of the farmer:
1. Extensive Fish Farms
Depth: 2 – 3 feet
2. Semi-Intensive Fish Farms (Most widely used)
Depth: 5 – 6 feet
Fish: 1200 per acre
3. Intensive Fish Farms
Depth: 9 – 10 feet
Fish: 2400 per acre
4. Super-Intensive Fish Farms (requires mechanical aerators)
Depth: 13 – 14 feet
Fish: 4800 per acre

TYPES OF FISH
1. Carps (Rahu) – 9 months, temperature range 20 to 35 degrees
2. Thalia – 4 months, temperature range 20 to 35 degrees
3. Trout – two years, temperature range below 20 degrees

FARM PRODUCTION - AQUACULTURE

Following parameters are considered while determining the suitability of the site for fish
culture.
i. Site Selection
Special consideration should be given to the location. It should be located in an area that is
not subject to frequent flooding and should have enough elevation, so that farm can be
drained out in case of any emergency, should have suitable texture, enough water supply,
availability of required inputs, have market road access even during the rainy season.
ii. Soil sampling
To determine suitability of the site for fish culture, soil samples should be taken from the
proposed site. They should be from surface and from slightly below the depth that will
represent bottom of the pond, i.e. if three feet of soil was anticipated to be excavated, the soil
samples should be taken from between three and four feet depth. A soil sample is taken by
drilling a soil auger into the desired depth. The soil in the head of the auger is then placed in a
plastic bag and taken to the departmental laboratory for analysis. The bag should be labeled
with the farm name, the location and the depth at which the soil sample was taken.
iii. Water Quality
In most areas of the Punjab province water source is either from a tubewell or irrigation
canal. The quality of the tubewell water should be analyzed. For this purpose a sample should
be taken preferably in a sealed bottle and sent to the Department of Fisheries Laboratory for
the testing of total alkalinity, hardness, pH, nitrogen, total dissolved solids alongwith other
required parameters.
iv. Farm Designing
A production pond/grow-out pond should be one acre to 2.5 acre area with the length –
breadth ratio of 2:1 whereas the size of nursery pond should be at least ½ acre and nursery
area should be 1/8th of the total production area of fish farming project. Each production and
nursery pond should have an independent inflow as well as outflow water structures to
regulate the water level in the pond.
v. Manuring / Fertilization
In a new pond bottom should be manured prior to water filling with 5,000 to 6,000 Kgs
organic manure per acre. Cowdung or poultry waste is the most desirable manure. Similar
quantity is required to be added periodically in subsequent stages to maintain productivity of
the pond throughout the growth period i.e. from March to October. In addition, fertilizers are
also applied during the growth period on fortnightly basis to maintain the productivity of the
farm. Different fertilizers require different application procedures. Manures should be evenly
spread in the pond whereas fertilizers should be dissolved in the water and then spread on the
surface of pond water in a uniform way. 103
vi. Stocking Densities
Criteria for the stocking of a fish farm
- Stocking be managed according to the carrying capacity.
- Stocking be executed according to the required ultimate weight of individual fish (at the
time of harvest) and the optimum space/room required/kg fish.
- Stocking of fish seed be arranged taking into consideration its potential growth rate under
different aquaculture management systems.
Recommended Species with Percentage of stocking
Name of the Fish Species Relative Ratio Indigenous
Thaila (Catla catla) 10-20 %
Rohu (Labeo rohita) 30-35 %
Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) 10-15 %
Exotic
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) 15-20 %
Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) 15-20 %

MARKET
EMPLOYMENT

ARTICLES:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/362151-pakistan-fish-exports-up-27-94pc-netting-451-
026-million-in-fy18
https://www.dawn.com/news/1142433