Sindh Minister for Fisheries, Zahid Ali Bhurgari, on Tuesday said that the Sindh government has offered 20,000 acres in Badin and Thatta to the private sector for development of aquaculture and shrimp farming.
Speaking at the first national advanced training course on 'shrimp hatchery management' conducted by Pakistan Fisheries Research Institute (PFRI) under the auspices of Minfal at a local hotel, he said that Sindh government has initiated several projects for fisheries development. He termed the fisheries sector as the second largest sector of the country after agriculture.
He held the previous government responsible for decline in seafood export and under-development of fisheries sector. He pointed out that Pakistan has a high quality of tuna fish in a large amount in its seas. There is high demand of tuna fish in the world markets. He also referred to his visit to seafood exhibition in Thailand where he observed that the people from all over the world were demanding this fish only.
"But unfortunately our fishermen do not know how to exploit our resources because of lack of knowledge, support and priorities," he regretted, saying that tuna fish in US market is sold at a cost of $71 per kg. Provincial Minister urged the fishermen for acquainting themselves with the latest technologies, modes of fishing and farming, besides marketing the products.
The recent bomb blasts incidents in Karachi and earlier in Islamabad is seemed a clear conspiracy against the newly elected government, Bhurgari said and vowed to foil such attempts in future.
"We know who are disturbing the peace in the country and they should understand that their plots will be failed at any costs". No government can resolve issues like poverty, unemployment and power crisis in a 90-day period of its term in office when things have already turned worst, he said. Earlier, Dr Naseem Akhtar said that development of aquaculture is the only way to augment shrimp production in the country. He believed that the private sector can play its role and is capable to invest in this sector, however government has to dispel concerns of the investors through better policies.
He said that new policy of Pakistan National Fisheries Policy to be announced in next three months, which will be a guideline for uplift of the fisheries sector both in land in the seas.
He regretted over the lack of investment in this sector, saying that during the last 18 years no development had taken place due to which Pakistan's position in the world had gone down phenomenally. He urged for a rapid investment and consistent execution of policies for next 10 years to retrieve the country's lost status in the world.
He said that fish model markets will be set up in the country and five new hatcheries will be built while four will be rehabilitated. A Master Plan for aquaculture is also being evolved.
He said that two hatcheries are also being rehabilitated at a cost of Rs 28 million to kick off the process somewhat. Other speakers who also highlighted the salient feature and drawbacks of the sector were Anwar-ul-Islam, Director Fisheries Sindh government, Rohail Baloch secretary fisheries Balochistan government and Hani Haider Baig.
Comments
Comments are closed.