Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan needs to improve its aquaculture in order to export quality fishery products in both processed and non-processed forms, said Dr. Shaista Waqar, Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries in Punjab, in an interview with WealthPK. “On commercial scale, as a sustainable fishing practice, In Pond Raceway System (IPRS) is ideal for aquaculture producers to enhance their regular production. IPRS is an innovative combination of existing traditional aquaculture practices and tools,” she said.

“Normally, there are four types of in-practice fish culture systems, i.e., cages, open ponds, recirculating systems, and raceways. Compared to traditional fish farming system, IPRS is more efficient to maximize fish production from a regular fish pond. Traditional farming requires a large area but produces less output. On the other hand, the IPRS is more practical than other fish farming practices due to its higher stocking densities, improved water quality, ease of feed maintenance and grading, precise disease treatment, fish waste collection, less off-flavor, and ease of harvest,” she added.

Through the IPRS-type mechanized fish farming system, a great yield is produced. In this system, cemented raceways are established in a regular fishpond. The fish is stopped and intensively fed there, while the waste discharged in water naturally turns into nitrates or fertilizer.

‘’IRPS is a fully automated system and seems expensive due to its demand for an uninterrupted power supply. In this system, farm activities like the maintenance of oxygen levels in the water, feeders and power supply are programmed. As the use of fishpond area and water potential is at the maximum, fish production and profit generation are more than enough to bear the cost. It can be considered one of the successful systems for commercial farming,’’ added Dr. Shaista Waqar.

Fish and seafood market was valued at US$110.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to attain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6% by the year 2032. Pakistan can get its profit share from the global fish and seafood market by enhancing its quality aquaculture productions. To improve this sector, Pakistan can benefit from the Chinese expertise in production and processing of fish and other seafood products. Improvement in the fisheries industry will generate jobs, increase revenue generation, and overall growth in socio-economic development.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk