Fishery resources have immense potential for development: expert

Omar Hayat, an expert on fisheries and environment has said Pakistan is endowed with fishery resources that have an immense potential for development. Talking to Business Recorder, he said at present, the sector's contribution to the overall gross domestic product (GDP) is about 0.8%, which is relatively small in comparison to other Asian countries. But there is much scope for growth in terms of increase in fish production as well as employment generation in the private sector.
He said that marine fisheries play an important role in coastal Balochistan and in Sindh, where they are a major source of income and employment. However, the potential has not been properly harnesses to its capacity due to old methods used for its harvest. He has stressed for innovative methods to earn foreign currency through exports through demonstration of latest methods of harvesting of fish at sea to the private sector. This will facilitate new investment in the sub sector and generate additional employment opportunities for the locals. Pakistan, he said also has substantial areas of inland waters like reservoirs, canals, swamps, lakes, streams and rivers and since this region acts as a drainage basin for the Himalayan mountain range. However, fish production from inland rivers and lakes has always been low, while reservoir fishery and aquaculture are still in their infancy.
The development and management of fisheries and aquaculture have faced several technical and non-technical problems. These problems are reflected in the relatively low increases in marine catch over the years and in the low fish yields from inland fishery. The fisheries sector expert said that Pakistan's sea food exports vary between US$ 250 to US$ 275 million annually. The average unit prices of the fish and fisheries product are up to US$ 2.00. 90 % and exported are in unprocessed in frozen form. Two canning plants are in operation with one bulk surimi plant.
Omar Hayat has said that more than thirty five processing units on Balochistan coastal belt are not operational whose operationalizing could provide employment and income generation for the owners and the country. This set back is due to unavailability of marine harvest on sustainable basis to the processing units. Natural resources are available on the coast of Balochistan and Sindh in the shape of land and water and suitable environment. Capacity building of the locals needs to be carried out for absorption in the local production activities of the marine aquaculture activities.
He said that a substantial quantity of fish is consumed locally. In addition, small pelagic and by-catch of trawl fishing is being used for production of fish meal. Remaining balance is exported in salted dried, frozen and chilled form. There are 37 fish processing plants in Pakistan with the capacity to process 586 tons of fish and shrimp daily. Out of these, 27 plants are involved in production of frozen products, 2 in canning, and 8 for fishmeal processing. A substantial quantity of fish is consumed locally. In addition, small pelagic and by-catch of trawl fishing is being used for production of fish meal. Remaining balance is exported in salted dried, frozen and chilled form. The fishery industry plays a significant in Pakistan economy as a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings.
Pakistan has two fishing seasons. The August and November season is for shrimp, which are mainly for export. Fish are caught from October to June. Fisheries contribute directly to food supplies, a source of livelihood for the coastal inhabitants, export earnings and boosting economy. Fisheries products are one of the most traded foods and food commodities.
Similarly, he said that a part from marine fisheries, inland fisheries (based in rivers, lakes, ponds, dams etc.) is also an important activity throughout the country. Fisheries share in GDP although very little but it adds substantially to the national income through export earnings. During the year 2013-14 a total of 155,671 tons of sea food were exported earning US$ 369.46 million compared to tons earning US$ 317.65 million during last year, thus showing an increase of 16% in terms of value. During the year 2013-14, total marine and inland fish production was estimated 590 thousand tons out of which 348 thousand tons was marine production and the remaining catch came from inland waters. To put the marine aquaculture in the right direction shrimp aquaculture activities need to be supported as shrimp aquaculture is very meager to cater to the need of processing Industry. Existing processing units are running at nearly 25 percent capacity annually. Ten percent farmed fish is being exported. The catch landed on our harbors end up at fish meal plants to the extent of eighty percent. This is due to use of illegal size of nets used for fishing boats which collect undersized fish and its juveniles.
Omar Hayat further said that fish harvested by each fishing vessel is mostly become trash fish to the average quantity of 70 metric tons. Trash catch which contains juveniles of fish is sold @ Rs 140/- per kilogram while the market for proper size of fish Ribbon Fish market price is Rs 250/kg, Red Snapper Rs 500/kg, Red Sea Bream Rs 80/kg, Tongue Sole Rs 300/kg.