The seafood export during July-August (2008-09) witnessed an increase of 31.53 percent as compared to the corresponding period of the last financial year. Pakistan exported 13,359 metric tons of seafood costing US $21,203,000 during the period under review as against 8,169 metric tons costing US $16,120,000 exported during the corresponding period last financial year.
During the month of August Pakistan seafood export was recorded at 5,831 metric tons costing $9,261,000 against 7,528 metric tons worth $11,942,000 during the month of July, showing decrease of 22.45 percent.
As against the same month of last financial year, the seafood export witnessed increase of 4.2 percent. The seafood export during August 2007-08 was recorded at 4,069 metric tons. It may be recalled that the Sindh government has taken several key initiatives to restructure and upgrade Karachi Fish Harbour to bring it at par with international standards with aim to enhance seafood export.
The European Union in early 2007 banned the export of seafood from Pakistan leading the previous government to ask Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) to intervene, which prepared "Roadmap" as part of the continuing process of restructuring and upgrading the KFH.
A master plan of the harbour, including a roadmap for the modernisation of existing auction halls and construction of new ones is almost complete. It includes the provision of a shrimp peeling unit and other plans based on the need for potential to generate revenue besides outsourcing the entry gates to the Karachi Harbor. The spillway operation has been leased out and has brought about a reduction in congestion. Boat modification work momentum has improved and there is a marked improvement in the co-ordination between the Harbor Authority and Marines Fisheries Department (MFD).
A one window operation has been established with the efforts of the Minister of Fisheries for fishing boats with the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Karachi Fish Harbor Authority (KFHA), the Maritime Security Agency (MSA), Customs and the Coast Guard also housed in one place.
Pakistan marine fisheries produce more than 400,000 tonnes of fish, and more than 20,000 tonnes of shrimp. This fish loses value from capture to delivery to the processors all along the cold chain, due to poor handling and inadequate use of ice.