Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s total fish production was recorded at 700,000 metric tonnes -- 475,000MT marine and 225,000MT inland – during the first nine months (July-March) of the fiscal year 2022-23, showing an increase of 0.6% compared to the same period of last year’s fish production of 696,000MT – 468,000MT marine and 228,000MT inland.

According to Pakistan Economic Survey 2022-23, during the period under review, a total of 151,030MT fish and fish preparations were exported compared to 116,333MT during the same period of last year, showing an increase of 29.8% in quantity and 14.8% in value terms.

Since the resumption of exports to the European Union (EU) countries, different consignments of finfish and shellfish have been sent by three companies to the EU, which were successfully cleared after 100% laboratory analysis at the EU borders. Further, a number of initiatives are being taken by the federal and provincial fisheries departments, which include, inter alia, the strengthening of extension services.

Several species of fish and crustaceans are found along Pakistan's 1,400-kilometre coastline; the most common are squids, cuttlefish, ribbonfish, prawns, and many others. According to the Economic Survey, China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East, Japan, Sri Lanka, Europe, the United States, and a few more countries are Pakistan's top customers for marine production.

Fisheries, a sub-sector of the agriculture sector, plays a significant role in the economy and food security of the country, and it also reduces pressure on demand for mutton, beef, and poultry. It is considered an important source of livelihood for the coastal inhabitants. Apart from marine fisheries, inland fisheries based in rivers, lakes, dams, etc., are also very important activities throughout the country.

Although fisheries’ share in the gross domestic product (GDP) is very small, it adds substantially to the national income through export earnings. The fishing sector, having a share of 1.39% in agriculture value addition and 0.32% in GDP, grew at 1.44% in 2022-23 compared to 0.35% in 2021-22, as shown in the table below:

During FY22 (July-March), total fish production was recorded at 696,000MT (marine 468,000 MT, and inland 228,000MT), witnessing an increase of 0.8% over the same period of FY21 with 690,600MT production (marine 465,200MT, and inland 225,400 MT). During FY2022 (July-March), a total of 116,514 MT of fish and fishery preparation, amounting to $310 million, were exported.

In the same period, several initiatives were taken by the federal and provincial fisheries departments, which included, among other things, the strengthening of extension services, the introduction of new fishing methodologies, the development of value-added products, enhancement of per capita consumption of fish, upgradation of socio-economic conditions of the fishermen community, and a review of Deep-Sea Fishing Policy of 2018.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk