KARACHI: Underscoring the need to address knowledge gaps, speakers on Wednesday said that modern technologies should be employed to collect fisheries data in Pakistani waters.
They said that the endangered marine animals should be protected by reducing by-catch, promoting target fisheries and tackling post-harvest losses.
Alternative livelihood options should be provided to fisherfolk communities especially women along Sindh’s coast, they said while speaking at a workshop organized in Karachi by WWF-Pakistan under its sustainable fisheries entrepreneurship project supported by Engro Foundation.
In his opening speech, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan, said that for the first time in Pakistan digitization of fisheries data has been initiated.
WWF-Pakistan, through its capacity-building programme, has trained 30 fishermen to use android-based mobile application system to collect fish catch data. He said that the initiative will help academia and policymakers to fill data gaps, undertake research studies on various aspects of fisheries and formulate robust fisheries regulations.
He appreciated the support of different stakeholders in the conservation of flagship marine animals. He was of the view that WWF-Pakistan has been working to improve the existing fishing practices and is making efforts to minimise fishing induced mortalities of the endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species including dolphins, whales, sharks and turtles among others.
CEO of Engro Vopak and Elengy Terminal Ltd., Yusuf Siddiqui, highlighted Engro’s commitment towards solving the most pressing issues of Pakistan through the company’s diverse business operations as well as its CSR interventions. He added, “The Sustainable Fisheries Entrepreneurship Project aims to address the extremely important issue of overfishing by bringing together multiple stakeholders, including the private sector, government, civil society and local community groups, who are working together to promote the conservation of marine life and to build resilient coastal communities in Pakistan. We are excited to partner with WWF on the project and look forward to creating lasting impact in this area.”
Dr. Tahir Rasheed, Director Wildlife, WWF-Pakistan, said that increase in fishing fleets, unsustainable fishing practices, release of untreated wastewater into the sea and overexploitation of fisheries resources are posing serious threat to marine ecosystem in Pakistan.
He said that livelihood diversification and skill development initiatives can help promote income generation opportunities and reduce pressure on natural resources.
He was of the view that the fishermen should be provided basic amenities of life including safe drinking water at their doorstep. “WWF-Pakistan is creating environmental awareness among fisher communities and sensitizing them on conservation of marine resources, mainly wild species in Pakistani waters,” he added.
To promote sustainable fisheries and improve data about marine mammals (whales and dolphins), sharks, marine birds and other important species, WWF-Pakistan has already initiated a programme that helps gather information about them.
In order to reduce mortality and entanglement of these animals in fishing gears, WWF-Pakistan introduced sub-surface gillnetting, which is now fully adopted by the fishermen.
This initiative is being acclaimed globally as it has led to conservation of many marine animals mainly turtles, dolphins and whale sharks. Through the capacity building component of the project, large number of turtles, whales, sharks and other marine wildlife has been safely released by WWF-Pakistan trained fishers. This is not only improving marine resources but also promotes healthy oceans in the long run.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020