Fisheries sector in the country is confronted with numerous problems like overfishing, uncontrolled fleet, illegal nets, shortage of raw material for seafood processing and high fuel cost, sources in Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) told Business Recorder here on Wednesday.
They said due to overfishing and uncontrolled fleet, resources in coastal and off-shore waters are depleting. There is need to control the size and capacity of the operating fishing vessels.
They said despite promulgation of legislations, control on illegal nets has not been effectively implemented which is harming some important fish species adding that infrastructure facilities are also limited in coastal areas, which require construction of landing jetties as major fishing villages.
They said a severe shortage of raw material for seafood processing has been observed in past few years. There is a dire need to reduce post-harvest losses and immediate start of shrimp farming in the country to overcome the issue.
Sources said fishing operations, because of the high cost of fuel, are becoming uneconomical which has resulted in reduction of fishing activities. There is a need to provide diesel at subsidised rates to fishermen, they added.
They said that Minfal is taking some important steps to develop fisheries and fishing farming and enhance seafood production in a bid to alleviate poverty in the country and cater to the problems being faced by the fishing industry.
With the technical assistance of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), international and national experts and in consultation with the provinces and other stakeholders, the Minfal has prepared a National Fisheries Policy in order to strengthen inland aquaculture production, develop aquaculture of shrimp/marine fish in coastal areas and resolve post-harvest issues, they maintained.
They said for overseeing and implementing the policy, a private sector-led National Fisheries Board (non-profitable company) will be established to start the projects based on demand driven strategy, establish fish and shrimp farms through private-public partnership and develop coastal shrimp farming in Sindh and Balochistan.
They said a project of Rs 2 billion is being submitted by the ministry aimed at increasing the contribution of fisheries sector to the national economic growth, poverty alleviation and food security. Another project on "Stock Assessment Survey in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)" is also being initiated.
They said the Minfal has received investment proposals from foreign firms under joint venture with local entrepreneurs to establish shore-based facilities for tuna value-added products and investment in Pak flagged fleet.
They said a project "Strengthening of Fish Handling, Processing and Quality Assurance" has already been implemented in Sindh and Balochistan in collaboration with the FAO to resolve problems being faced by fishing industry.
They said about 60,000 hectares of land have been brought under aquaculture. Marine Fisheries Department's labs have been upgraded and accredited (ISO 9000) for provision of improved quality control services to increase export earning and fishing boats, landing sites and harbours have been upgraded throughout the country to reduce post-harvest losses.
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