RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Fish production during last two decade has increased in Pakistan starting from 22,255 tons in 1991 and reaching up to 82,448 tons in 2010.

Talking to this scribe, an expert on fisheries sector and environment, Omar Hayat said that during this period highest production, 93,820 tons, was observed in 1994. Both the fish commodities, dried, salted or smoked and frozen excluding fillets and meat, also have increased in their production; however the production of latter commodity surpassed during the last five years.

Export in terms of quantity and value of the former fish commodity declined while the latter commodity increased during the same period. Import figures have shown that there is an increasing trend in the import of the latter fish commodity reflecting its potential demand in Pakistan. However, by paying more attention to fisheries sector, the country’s production and export of fish and fishery products can be increased, and the country’s economy as a whole can be boosted.

Fishery management represents an organization consist of resources, industry market which are the basic pillars of fishery sector maintenance and these factors are interconnected with each other. If there is any irregularity to manage fish resources and their management, Government has been enforced to mediate, rightly or wrongly, to fill this space. He said that economically, balanced fishery management requires the revolution of common property through a restricted entry system intended to raise net benefits from the fishery. Management planning holds goals and policy objectives and the expansion of strategies to attain policy targets. If we study current condition of Pakistan’s fishing industry it determines the ecological environment of Pakistan’s fisheries and explain current developments in technology and their effect on the fish catch.

The factors contributing to growth involve government efforts, fleet expansion and development of export markets. In order to develop fisheries Pakistan should require balanced resource management. The expert asked the government should focus on new policy which should maintain satisfactory management for the regulation of the Pakistan’s fish industry for inland fisheries and coastal and deep water fisheries.

He said that fishing in Pakistan is a main source of export earnings and plays an essential role to develop national economy. Pakistan with a coast line of 814 km still has many fish species which are not used to promote fish industry at national and international market. The contribution of aquaculture is too meager as compared to fisheries. Other neighboring countries which have focused on aquaculture have taken leap forward in exports, employment generation as well income for rural communities.

According Economic Survey of Pakistan total fish catch during 2013-2014 increased slightly i.e. 725,000 tonnes-730,000 tonnes. More than 100,400 tonnes fish were exported in the same period. The volume of fish exports during 2013-2014 was 140,000-150,000 tonnes this was mainly due to reopening of EU market and high demand of Pakistani fish mainly in China and Vietnam. This need for Pakistani fish has boosted fishing industry.

The decline in the marine fishery is basically due to over fishing and growing human population is the main cause. With the increasing shortage of fish resources, fisheries management becomes more critical. Fish habitats have been badly affected by industrial waste overuse of reef area and sea visitors.

The current information which focuses on modeling and technical work out in other countries to fishery management tools which is supposed to be a legal approach are not being used in our country. These new modeling tools and technical innovation is required to be implemented in our country.

The existing laws on fisheries and aquaculture need to be revisited and appropriate changes made on pragmatic and implement able approach for the betterment of rural communities and conservation of the renewable fish and related consumable resources of the country.

He said fishery management laws should be of good policy and result oriented quality. Fishery laws should deal among development of fishing size, quality, banned over fishing and establish more national master management plans for off-shore fisheries and to promote coastal resources.

The inland fisheries has a great potential also which is often overlooked and of low priority by the policy makers. If Aquaculture is developed in warm waters and cold water regions it can boost exports and foreign exchange for the exchequer. The potential of only one type of fish i.e. Trout is more than 50000-100000 metric tons per cycle worth more than half a billion dollars revenue and creating employment for the rural youth in the remote hilly rural regions of the country. Similar is the position of warm water fisheries potential of production throughout Pakistan which can also provide off farm employment and income for the rural population as well as export earnings for the country.

Pakistan economy is rural based where 70 percent of the work force is engaged in different agricultural activities. Fish Farming is a new addition of recent past of 30 to 35 years to diversification of agricultural farm activities. The growth of fish farms in Pakistan is slow as compared to the benefits which it creates in the private sector. Each Fish Farm provides employment to the house hold for different period of time with income on harvest of fish as well for family consumption.

Rural development and, in particular, a prosperous smallholder agricultural economy, is widely regarded as the cornerstone in a multi-pronged strategy aimed at reducing poverty and hunger and ensuring food security for all. Furthermore, he said that agriculture is the foundation of rural development and the most important provider of gainful employment in rural areas.

Omar Hayat, who is served as Director Fisheries, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa termed poverty a highly complex phenomenon, which cannot be understood in purely sectoral terms. Aquaculture should not be viewed as separate technology in Agriculture sector but should be considered as one part of agricultural activities. The agriculture with aquaculture needs: intensification, diversification, increased asset base, increased off farm income, and exit from agriculture. Diversification, which includes aquaculture, which can be considered to be the single most promising source of farm poverty reduction in the coming years in Pakistan.