TODAY’S END IN MIND..

• LWAT REVIEW FISHING – A PRIMARY INDUSTRY

The development of Pakistan’s fishing sector will help ensure food security in the country besides strengthening the national economy,
WealthPK reported.
The sector’s development will also help in decreasing the demand for mutton, beef and poultry in Pakistan. Faisal Iftikhar, Chairman of
the Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, Karachi, told WealthPK that as a sub-sector of agriculture, the fishing industry
contributed to the national economy and food security in the country. The fishing industry is directly related to food supplies,
livelihoods for the coastal inhabitants, export earnings and economic growth.
“Although fishing in Pakistan contributes less than 1% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), it still plays a key role in
economic growth by providing jobs to a sizable portion of the population living in underdeveloped Balochistan and Sindh provinces,” he
said. Faisal Iftikhar said that Pakistan’s fishing industry was predicted to be a big and developing sector in terms of exports. Fishing is a
profitable profession that can bring significant foreign cash to a country. The fishing industry in Pakistan is facing major challenges due
to overfishing. Overfishing is negatively impacting the country’s marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of its fishing communities.
“Overfishing occurs when more fish are caught than the population that can be replaced through natural reproduction. There is a
decline in fish population and loss of biodiversity in the ocean as a result of overfishing,” said Faisal Iftikhar.
He said that overfishing led to the depletion of fish stocks, resulting in lower catch rates. This decreased exports, foreign currency
earnings, and income for fishermen. “Pakistan needs to control overfishing for quantity increase, as it will enable us to improve our
export revenues,” he added. The main cause of overfishing in Pakistan is a growing demand for seafood, coupled with the use of illegal,
unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing methods. These methods, such as the use of illegal nets and large-scale commercial fishing
operations, are causing damage to coral reefs, mangrove forests and other critical habitats that provide shelter and food to fish.
“To address the problem of overfishing in Pakistan, a multi-faceted approach is needed. This should include measures to improve the
management and governance of the country’s fishing industry, such as enforcing fishing quotas and adopting more sustainable fishing
methods,” said Faisal Iftikhar. He said that efforts should be made to improve the data collection and monitoring of the fish population
so that the impacts of overfishing could be accurately assessed and addressed. “Measures should also be taken to promote sustainable
fishing methods, such as the use of fishing gear that reduces bycatch as well as damage to habitats. It will ensure the protection of
essential habitats,” he told WealthPK.

Growth of fishing sector to boost food security in Pakistan

https://www.nation.com.pk/15-Feb-2023/
Continental shelve
MAKRAN COAST
SINDH COAST
 SUBSISTENCE MARINE FISHING

WHEN THE FISHERMAN AND HIS FAMILY CONSUME THE FISH THEY
CATCH. SOME FISHING COMMUNITIES ON THE COAST ARE ENGAGED IN
SUBSISTENCE FISHING, AS FISH IS THE MAIN COMPONENT THEIR DIET.
AS A RESULT THE FISH CATCH IS ALSO NOMINAL AND CANNOT BE
RELIED ON AS A PERMANENT SOURCE OF INCOME. IN THIS TYPE OF
FISHING THE FISHERMEN USES TRADITIONAL / CONVENTIONAL
TECHNIQUES FOR CATCHING FISH. THESE ARE AS FALLOWS:
•
1. SMALL WOODEN BOATS. ( 2 – 5 KMS IN DEEP SEA WATER ).
2. SAILING / ROWING BOATS.
3. TRADITIONAL / HAND MADE NETS.
4. ROD AND LINE METHODS.
5. FISH KEPT IN BASKETS OF ICE.
6. ONLY IN COASTAL AREAS.
 Mechanized Trawlers

Commercial Marine Fishing

In this type of fishing fishermen use modern

techniques to catch the fish. These are as
follows:
1. Mechanized Boats / Engines. (1 – 50 Kms
in deep Sea water).
2. Gill netters. (Nets for catching fish which
3. entangles their respiratory organs).

Trawlers. (A fishing boat that uses large net

that its drags through behind it).
4. Chilled storage on boat.
5. Loans for Education / Training.
Rs2.35 billion ‘Trout Fish Farming Programme’ under the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency
Programme in Swat. the task force on fisheries sector development, after due consultations with the
provinces, formulated a programme which comprised of three projects namely; shrimp farming,
cage farming and trout fish farming in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. A total sum of
Rs1.35 trillion was allocated for the above-mentioned projects. (2019)
 fishing methods used on a fish farm.
Ans. Prepare ponds / half fill for insects.
Buy small fish from hatchery
complex for breeding. Of single
species / improved type of stock.
Regular feeding (with
poultry waste). Health
care / regular checks.
Check water levels
clean water. Transfer
between ponds by
size.
Catch fully grown fish / fish of market size.
Catch by net.
 Benefits and potential of Fish farming in Pakistan

https://youtu.be/uMvNp-k4RQM?si=Ni2hx-AjNX5b6kU4
 Impacts of Fish farming on the environment

Chemical pollutants: aquaculture uses substances that can

become pollutants, for example phosphorus and nitrogen, which
are used in feeds and chemical maintenance of aquaculture
ponds. These chemicals when released into the environment can
result in algal blooms by over-stimulating algal growth.
Effluents from aquaculture farms may contain chemicals
used for disinfecting and controlling diseases, pests and
predators. It may contain hormones, used for inducing,
breeding and transfer of fish. All these may have adverse
Ecosystem: Land-based farms have brought about
effect on other organisms in the environment.
ecological changes and have affected surrounding areas.
The subsoil water is frequently pumped out to fill these
farms, which may lower the water table of the area. On
the other hand, the use of sub-soil water in farms may
result in reaching of salts in surrounding tracts,
rendering these lands unsuitable for general vegetation
and agriculture crops.
 POSITIVE IMPACTS OF FISH FARMING ON
ENVIRONMENT
• AQUACULTURE HAS MANY POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT TOO. A FEW
OF THEME ARE:
• RECYCLING WASTES: THE AQUACULTURE AUGMENTS RECYCLING OF DOMESTIC
AND FARM WASTES. ANIMAL WASTES ARE CONSIDERED A GOOD ORGANIC
FERTILIZER WHICH IS CONSIDERED BETTER THAN INORGANIC ONES. DOMESTIC
WASTES AND HUMAN SEWAGE CAN BE USED FOR FISH FARMING. HOWEVER, THE
USE OF DOMESTIC WASTES IS VERY RESTRICTED, BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE
DANGER OF TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN DISEASES. HOWEVER, THE COMBINATION
OF FISH CULTURE WITH WASTE TREATMENT GIVES GOOD RESULTS.
1.Water Pollution
Pollution on the Coast of Pakistan is mostly limited to the Karachi area. The Karachi fish harbour is
severely affected by a variety of pollutants. Spillage of the oils from ships, domestic and industrial waste is
causing great harm to our fishing industry.
Studies have shown that many chemicals - some of these having carcinogenic qualities -, toxic materials
and heavy metals have been found in the marine life. These dangerous substances are also entering the food
chain of the people whose diet comprises seafood. Water pollution is not limited to Karachi, it is also
affecting the rivers of Pakistan.

2: Over-Fishing
Another problem associated with the fishing industry is that of over-fishing of shrimps through out the year,
even in the breeding season.

3: Threat of Mangroves
Mangroves act as a barrier and protect the coastlines from high and low tides. The mangroves that are a
breeding ground for fish and shrimps cannot thrive well in polluted sea water.
 GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO DEVELOP
FISHERIES

1. THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW FISHING METHODS.

2. THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS SUCH AS CANNED OR FROZEN FISH BY
PROVIDING FISH PROCESSING FACILITIES.
3. GUIDANCE AND WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE FISHERMEN THROUGH BROADCASTING
SERVICES AND THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
4. MONITORING OF DEEP SEA FISHING VESSELS.
5. LOANS FOR TRAINING / EDUCATION.
6. CONSTRUCTION OF COLD STORAGE FOR PROCESSING.
7. PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES E.G. ELECTRICITY AND ROADS.
8. COMMUNICATION FACILITIES FOR MARKETING.
•
 SUSTAINABLE FISHING
• THE MAJOR FISH IMPORTS OF PAKISTAN ARE PANGASIUS AND TILAPIA. BOTH OF THE CATEGORIES OF CATFISH ARE IMPORTED
ENTIRELY FROM VIETNAM AND THE IMPORT DUTIES ARE 61% INCLUDING 20% CUSTOM DUTY, 35% REGULATORY DUTY AND 6%
ADDITIONAL CUSTOM DUTIES. PANGASIUS AND TILAPIA ARE AQUACULTURE AND CAN BE EASILY FARMED. PAKISTAN HAS
NOW STARTED FARMING OF BOTH TILAPIA & PANGASIUS AND THE EXPERIMENTS HAVE REMAINED SUCCESSFUL. IN TERMS OF
EXPORTS, FROZEN FLAT FISH BELONGING TO DEMERSAL SPECIES OF FISH IS THE MOST EXPORTED CATEGORY AMONG ALL
OTHER CATEGORIES AT HS-06 FOLLOWED BY SHRIMPS & PRAWNS. THE VALUE CHAIN CONSTRAINTS FOR PROCESSING INCLUDE
LACK OF STORAGE CAPACITY, POOR HANDLING OF FISH CATCHES, POOR COMPLIANCE WITH SPS MEASURES, AND NON-
AVAILABILITY OF MODERN MACHINERIES FOR PROCESSING WHICH ULTIMATELY AFFECTS THE QUALITY. COVID-19 HAS
AFFECTED FISHERIES SECTOR TO A GREAT EXTENT. MAJOR ISSUES REPORTED BY EXPORTERS IS SHORTAGE OF CONTAINERS
AND THIS SHORTAGE IS DUE TO DELAYS IN SHIPMENT BECAUSE OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IMPLEMENTED BY CHINA AND OTHER
COUNTRIES. ACCORDING TO EXPORTERS, THE FREIGHT COSTS HAVE INCREASED BY ALMOST 50% DUE TO GLOBAL SHORTAGE
AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES. OVERALL, IT IS IMPACTING THE PROFITABILITY OF EXPORTERS, HENCE CAUSING DECLINE IN
OVERALL EXPORTS. ANOTHER MAJOR HURDLE IS THE BAN ON SOME SPECIES OF FISH FROM PAKISTAN BY THE EUROPEAN
UNION. EU AUTHORITIES HAVE ALLOWED ONLY TWO EXPORTERS FROM PAKISTAN TO EXPORT FISH, CUTTLEFISH AND SHRIMPS
AFTER 100% LABORATORY TEST. TO OVERCOME THESE ISSUES THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS ARE REQUIRED: TRAININGS ON
AQUACULTURE, VALUE-ADDED PROCESSING, AND QUALITY CONTROL, UPGRADING OF HYGIENIC CONTROLS IN THE FISHING
VALUE CHAIN, RESTRICTION ON FISHING TO CONTROL EXHAUSTION OF FISH STOCKS, & CHILLING UNITS NEED REVISION.
• PAKISTAN IS MOVING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES IN MULTIPLE STEPS THROUGH MULTIPLE
POLICY DOCUMENTS. THERE IS A PARTIAL BAN ON TRAWLING, SEINING AND GEAR EQUIPPED VESSELS
TO PREVENT DEPLETION OF THE FISH STOCK. HOWEVER, THE LEGISLATION TO BAN ILLEGAL,
UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING HAS YET NOT BEEN PASSED. LEGISLATION TO BAN
IUU FISHING WOULD BE THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FISHING IN PAKISTAN.
• IT IS UNREALISTIC TO ASSUME THAT PAKISTAN CAN ENFORCE THE SAME POLICIES, SUCH AS CLOSING
FISHING GROUNDS IF THE FISH STOCK IS DANGEROUSLY LOW, AS SOME DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE
TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE FISHING. HOWEVER, IT WOULD ALSO BE UNTRUE TO SAY THAT THERE HAVE
BEEN NO STEPS ON A NATIONAL POLICY-MAKING LEVEL TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE FISHING. PAKISTAN
NEEDS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS TO BAN IUU FISHING AND INTRODUCE RESEARCH-BASED FISHING
QUOTA AND MANAGEMENT PLANS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES.
•SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MEANS THAT FISHERIES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE MOST
BALANCED WAY IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE FOOD PRODUCTION FOR THE PRESENT GENERATION
AND TO ENSURE FISH REMAIN AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.
•IN ORDER TO DEVELOP FISHERIES ON SUSTAINABLE LINES THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE ALL
THOSE FACTORS INTO CONSIDERATION AND SHOULD
•
1. BANNING THE USE OF ILLEGAL NETS. THESE HAVE SMALL HOLES WHICH CATCH THE BABY FISH.
2. AVOID TO THE CUTTING OF MANGROVE FORESTS AND WATER POLLUTION.
3. AVOID TO OVER FISHING.
4. CONSTRUCTION OF COLD STORAGE FOR PROCESSING.
•
 QUESTIONS

• EXPLAIN WHY FISHING AND FISH FARMING ARE IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES IN PAKISTAN.

• EXPLAIN THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DEVELOPING THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN.

• DESCRIBE THE FISHING INDUSTRY OF THE MAKRAN COAST WITH REFERENCE TO METHODS OF CATCHING
THE FISH, PORTS AND THE USES OF THE FISH CAUGHT.
• DESCRIBE HOW MARINE FISHING METHODS CAN BE IMPROVED.

• AT PRESENT TIME, MOST OF THE FISH CATCH IS PROCESSED IN KARACHI. THE PORTS OF BALOCHISTAN
SUCH AS GWADAR AND PASNI HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF DEVELOPING FISH PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN THE PORTS OF BALOCHISTAN?
• HOW DOES THE POOR INFRASTRUCTURE OF BALOCHISTAN MAKE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING
INDUSTRY DIFFICULT?