A Norwegian mission has reviewed the structure and functions of public institutions in the fisheries with a view to develop a right based management plan for the sector in Pakistan. Talking to Business Recorder, Managing Director of Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA), Abdul Ghani Jokhio said, "the mission's visit was study of Pakistan's fishing sector and harbours".
He said he had also discussed the future plan of the harbour with the visiting delegation, which Kjartan Hoydal led with members former DG Marine Fisheries Department, Muhammad Moazzam Khan and Dr Kamran Jehangir. At a meeting held at the KFHA head-office, Jokhio said he had informed the mission about the existing problems of the authority, besides the planned and ongoing uplift projects to develop the harbour's outlook on modern lines. He said the delegation was also told about the EU ban on Pakistan's seafood.
He said the mission was working to develop a right-based management plan for the fisheries sector in Pakistan. Jokhio also briefed the visitors about the facilities which KFHA was providing to its various stakeholders. Elaborating on the plan, he said the authority had taken steps in compliance with European Union seafood standards. He told that almost 500 fishing boats had so far been modified ion line with the EU specifications. With the financial assistance of Government of Sindh, he said, the KFHA procured thousands of insulated plastic containers, fish crates, plastic baskets for better handling and preservation of fishery products.
He discussed features of the Master Plan to develop the Karachi Fish Harbour on global standards with an aim to transform the harbour into a modern harbour of the entire region. In addition, River Osmosis Plant and Water Treatment Plant would also be installed at the Fish Harbour, he said. The mission visited auction halls and seafood landing jetties, besides inspecting the modified fishing boats.
Pakistan and Norway are executing a bilateral agreement titled "Pak-3004 Framework Agreement for Institutional Co-operation Programme, (Norway assisted), according to the KFHA officials. Under the framework, two projects are being implemented, competence strengthening at fishery institutions in Pakistan and project "assistance in planning and implementing a marine fisheries resources survey", they added.