Punjab Minister for Fisheries, Jam Mohammad Hashim Ghalija on Monday cautioned that some of the most valuable rare fish species are nearing total extinction in the natural habitats in Pakistan. Inaugurating the 3rd 2-day national symposium of Pakistan Fisheries Society on "Conversation of Mahaseer" here at Government College University, he said certain factors like over fishing, changes in water regimes, high pollution, drought were responsible for failure to conserve endangered fish species in the country.
He said that as a result of concerted efforts and hectic research of Punjab Fisheries Department, first time in South East Asia, Mahaseer fish had been successfully bred at Nursery Unit Hattian, Attock.
He said this symposium would provide a forum to the experts for research collaboration at regional as well as at local level.
Jam Hashim said this type of gathering of leading scientists also provides ample opportunities to develop an appropriate expertise to introduce new ideas for boosting up fish production and adopting conservational measures.
He said Pakistan Fisheries Society had taken a leading role for scientific communication and dissemination of information for the development and conservation of fisheries science in the country.
The minister said today's historic event was really a elite gathering of fisheries experts drawn from across the country, which he added would hopefully come up with concrete and vital recommendation for the development of fisheries section in Pakistan.
Jam Hashim congratulated the DG Fisheries Punjab Dr Mohammad Ayub and his team for their remarkable success in artificial breeding of Mahaseer and appreciated their efforts for introducing modern technology on aquaculture and fisheries development besides evolving disease resistant fish species for commercial purpose.
Secretary Forest, Fisheries, Wildlife Punjab Iqbal Ahmad speaking on the occasion said, the world was making all out efforts for the production of balanced diet with special reference to protein.
In this regard fisheries and aquaculture had gained world-wide importance to combat the deficiency of animal protein.
He said it was a demand of the day to increase our share in global catch of fish, which had jumped from 44 million tonne in 1973 to 85 million tonne in 2003.
He said this situation necessitates appropriate measures, including conservation of endangered species of fish not only to save the bio-diversity of fish but also to increase fish production in the country.
Secretary General, Pakistan Fisheries Society, Dr Mohammad Ayub in his keynote address, comprehensively explained the root cause of depletion of rare fish species, contribution of fisheries in GDP, share in agriculture, foreign exchange, contribution availability of sources of animal protein and basic infrastructure for development of fisheries on modern scientific lines in Pakistan.
Earlier, VC, Government College University Dr Khalid Aftab presented welcome address.