Punjab government has set aside Rs 600 million to develop the Punjab fisheries sector during 2015-16. Sources said the Fisheries Department was working to implement its vision to conserve and develop aquatic resources.
Major interventions have taken up by the department in the last financial year included establishment of fish seed, rearing farm for production of large size Fish Seed and biological diversification in Chashma Mianwali District, production of fingerlings Fish species during winter season, mass motivation campaign for promotion of fisheries and aquaculture in the Punjab, propagation of Mono-sex Tilapia (pilot project), development of fisheries in small dams of Northern Region, development of fisheries in saline and brackish waters of the Southern Zone of the Punjab.
Other projects include feasibility studies for establishment of aquaculture processing zone, promotion of intensive culture systems of high value fish species and facilities through establishment of fish aquarium house and angling are notable. During the current financial year, it has been planned to execute 11 ongoing and three new schemes of up to Rs 600million earmarked by the provincial government on major initiatives to be undertaken during 2015-16 which are the establishment of fisheries information and extension service centre and Offices in Lahore and delivery of better extension services to accelerate fish culture practices in the province.