By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, Nov 03 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan has a great treasure of marine life and its fish fauna is rich. The coastline of Pakistan has always played an important role in meeting its food, livelihood, employment, business and other economic needs. Seawaters touching the shore of Pakistan are rich with at least 26 species of shrimp. Shrimps are considered among the favourite seafood worldwide. Pakistan exports shrimp in a huge quantity and it is a big source of foreign exchange. From 1988 to 2015, shrimp fisheries in Pakistan are on an upward trajectory and have reached 21,155 tons ($75,519,000). In fiscal year 2016, Pakistan earned more than $166 million. Shrimp fisheries have played an important role in generating revenue and foreign exchange. Seafood is considered the most sustainable option for consumers rather than other framed proteins. In the economic perspective of Pakistan, shrimp fisheries have played a vital role. Twenty-six commercially important species of shrimps are caught from Pakistani marine waters belonging to five families e.g., Sergestidae, Aresteidae, Penaedie, Solenoceridae and Palamonidae. Families Aresteidae and Penaedie are commercially more important than other shrimp families. China is an emerging market for Pakistani shrimps and other seafood along with the US, other European countries and the combined market of six GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries on top. Chinese market being a large consumer of shrimps has the potential to be the largest market for Pakistani seafood, especially for shrimps. About 7.5 tons of shrimps and a few different varieties are sent to China's Guangdong province by the land route of Khunjerab. It's going to become a totally operational route soon.           Fig. 4 — Total shrimp fisheries export from Pakistan to China (2003-2016). Fig. 5 — Total shrimp fisheries export from Pakistan to the USA (2003-2016). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnopr.niscair.res.in%2Fbistream%2F123456789%2F54658%2F1%2FIJMS%252049%25284%2529%2520559-566.pdf&psig=AOvVaw2KwPj2lW-3LDVXBBGBGIpN&ust=1634903865048000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCMi7zeG52_MCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD