Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (R) Maqbool Baqar called for maintaining quality standards and integrating technology within Pakistan’s seafood industry, to help the country’s seafood products into international markets and drive growth in the blue economy.
Baqar said this while addressing a seminar organized by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) to commemorate World Fisheries Day at Bahria University on November 21. The occasion was marked by the theme “Conservation through Collaboration: Developing Fishing Communities.” Baqar said the fishermen’s communities are more than custodians of the sea. They embody the core of cultural legacy, preserving traditions cherished and transmitted across generations.
“As we come together to observe World Fisheries Day, it is only fitting that we shine a spotlight on these communities, placing them at the forefront of our discussions,” he said.
World Fisheries Day is celebrated globally on November 21 since 2015 to encourage people, communities, and entities worldwide to engage in actions that support sustainable fisheries and the welfare of fishing communities.
Baqar said that Pakistan was blessed with a coastline stretching over 1,000 km and an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 290,000 sq. km, including the extended continental shelf. “This endowment positions Pakistan with significant potential for the development of the Blue Economy,” he said. Pakistan’s marine fishing activities were concentrated along the coastal lines of Balochistan and Sindh, constituting 70% and 30% of the country’s total coastal area, respectively, he added.
Pakistan’s seafood exports range from fish and shrimp to crabs and squid, including frozen and fresh seafood, canned goods, and value-added items like breaded fish fillets.
“Our key export destinations include the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South Korea. Remarkably, Pakistan’s seafood export reached an all-time high, hitting $496 million in 2022-23,” the caretaker Sindh CM said adding that the growth potential was substantial.
The CM further said that there are ample opportunities for expansion in the processing and value-addition sector, covering filleting, freezing, canning, and the creation of diverse fish-based products.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) also celebrated World Fisheries Day under the theme “Connecting fish, rivers and people”. PMSA organized various events to commemorate the day including setting up welfare and medical camps at Mubarak Village and Keti Bander. Additionally, essential items were distributed among the local fishermen. Lectures emphasizing the importance of World Fisheries Day were delivered by the Commanding Officer of PMSS SABQAT and a representative from MFD at the HQ PMSA Auditorium.
Quick facts about Pakistan’s fisheries sector
- Fisheries sector in Pakistan grew by 1.44% in 2022-23, up from 0.35% previously.
- Total fish production in 2023 reached 700,000 metric tons (475,000 MT marine, 225,000 MT inland).
- A modest 0.6% increase in production compared to the prior year.
- Over 300,000 people rely on fishing activities for their livelihood.
- Pakistan’s waters harbor around 70 commercial fish species.
- Seafood sector achieved $500 million export value in FY 2022-23.
- Seafood Sector contributes 2.01% to agriculture and 0.39% to GDP.
- Challenges including U.S. and EU bans on shrimp exports affected 300+ processing units.
