Pakistan

Contribution from EEZ has been especially low since September 2000, when the Federal Government ban deep-sea fishing in Pakistan EEZ waters after growing complaints of local fishermen that the trawlers were not only violating territorial

limits but also causing wastage of seafood resources.

However, and after months of controversy and tremendous pressure from fishermen in the two main coastal provinces, Balochistan and Sindh, the ban was lifted and the government announced a new deep-sea policy amended of the 1995. The new Fishing Policy approved in July 2001 contemplates heavier penalties for violating rules and makes mandatory for all vessels operating in the EEZ to install a global positioning satellite system in a bid to restrict them within the prescribed limits and curb poaching. In total, 20 medium-sized vessels operating between 12 and 35 miles and 10 large vessels fishing between 35 and 200 miles have been issued licences. Last June just five long liners, two Korean and three Chinese, began to catch after fulfilling the conditions of the new policy. Under the new legislation penalties on violations have been enhanced from Rs200, 000 to

Rs1,000,000 and penalty on fishing beyond the period of the validity of the license has also been raised from Rs 200,000 to Rs1,000,000 per vessel. Licences fee and royalties has also increased. During the year 2000, Pakistan earned US$ 150,166 in concept of royalties and licences but this year the Government is expecting to collect US$ 3,019,000.

In the last few years marine landings have reached 452,000 millions tonnes. For many people of the sector, allowing deep trawlers fishing in Pakistani waters will allow the exploitation of untapped resources that local fishermen cannot access. According to Mr. Kamran, President of the Deep Sea Trawler Operator Association, wooden boats could not bottom trawl too deep due to the short length of fishing nets and inadequate powers of their small marine engines stopping Pakistani fisheries sectors from harvesting marine resources beyond 6 to 8 miles from the coast. For the Government, deep-sea fishing also means foreign investment in the country, one of the goals of the Government Policy as well as the US$140 million seafood export target for the next fiscal year.

Value down

Last year world economic crisis stressed with the September 11 attacks hit the fishing sector and Pakistan has not been an exception. The value of Pakistan seafood exports went down 9.3 per cent for the nine-month period from July 2001 to April 2002 compared to the previous corresponding period, with seafood exports valued at US$ 108 million, down from US$ 119 million. The average unit per price from July 2001 to April 2002 decreased from US$ 1,75 to US$ 1,5 per kilogram compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Though export earnings have picked up in last few months won't be enough to make an impact on the cumulative earnings when the 2001-2002 fiscal year is summed up.

However, output is up reaching about 73,994 tonnes, according to official statistic.

The economic slow down in Europe and America as well as some other countries in Asia has changed the complexion of consumption pattern. From last October, foreign buyers started asking Pakistani exporters to down the prices as compared to the rates offered by India, Bangladesh and Indonesia. As a result of this, exports of fish became non-competitive in the world market.

Even though Fisheries' shares in GDP is very little --1.0%-, it contributes substantially to the national income through export earnings and the Government is planing to double national fish production over the next ten years to 1.24 millions tons. According to Shafi Niaz, Chairman of the National Fishery Development Board, fisheries not only plays an important role in the country's economy, but is also a source of livelihood with a total number of people engaged in fisheries sector during 2001-2002 estimated at 361,000. Out of which, 137,000 people were engaged in marine sector. Besides the important role that the fishing industry is call to play in Pakistan economy, it is not less significant its social importance. Pakistan has not only a high growth rate of population but also faces shortage of protein of food for human consumption. Fisheries resources have the potential to play a significant role in helping to meet the dietary protein requirements of the country. Therefore the Government has given a high priority to fisheries sector and a number of initiatives are being taken by the federal and provincial fisheries departments.

But what are the main lacks of the fishery sector and what are the Authorities doing to improve it?

For many years Pakistan has suffered the lack of focus in Government policies and little institutional investment in public and private projects as well as a highly unorganised nature of private sector. Besides, due to illiteracy and lack of effective organisation, fishermen are subject to considerable economic exploitation by middlemen and moneylenders. Needs also refers to fishing craft, gear technology and manpower. The poor quality of many fishery products emphasises the need for assistance in quality control and handling and preservation practices. Recently, the absence of an upgraded laboratory has put at risk seafood exports to the European Union placing Pakistan on detention list for 100% inspection of seafood exported.

Improvements

At the moment new projects are being introduced to help the much-needed fishery sector. Among the measures are included lower interest bank loans to help the industry to modernise and become more competitive in domestic and export market.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan have already agreed a 14% interest rate on fisheries loans, which is the same rate available to the agricultural sector. The Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Khair Mohammad Junejo, has said that the SBP will be asked to cut interest even further. He also said the Central Board of Revenue will be asked to suspend customs and sales taxes on equipment used in fisheries. This will allow fishing communities to equip themselves with modern infrastructure to catch, store and market their fish. Consequently, it will improve the quality of the catch resulting in bringing competitive rates in the local as well as international market.

Realising the importance of improvement of quality fish and fishery products and effective introduction of quality control measures, a programme of up gradation of quality control has already been introduced.

Other instruments include strengthening of extension services, diversification of fishing efforts, improvement in post harvest techniques, development of value-added products, enhancement of per capita consumption and up-gradation of socio-economic condition of the fishermen community.

Another important measure that is being introduced in Pakistan is the utilisation of a research vessel to monitor marine resources in its territorial waters. Pakistan last conducted seafood resources survey in 1984. Marine experts say some of the species in Pakistani waters have become extinct. On the other hand, they say the local fishermen catch only 40% of the total seafood hidden under Pakistan's EEZ with hundreds of species still remaining untapped in the country's waters. In addition, experts claim, up to date statistical data on species, their size and population are essential if the fisheries sector is to develop in a sustainable manner.

Aquaculture

Regarding aquaculture has received a substantial amount of Government investment over the past decade, and facilities are now in place that can provide the basis for a major expansion of fish farming production. Pakistan Agriculture Research Council has offered assistance to fish growers to increase their per acre yield across the country. According to experts, a fish farmer can earn Rs 10,000 to Rs15, 000 from an acre farm yearly from domestic fishing while they can earn Rs 40,000 from same land by commercial fishing. Marine Fisheries Department is also launching a project, namely 'Establishment of a Hatchery Complex for production of Fish/Shrimp Seeds' which will play a vital role in the development of fish and shrimp farming. According to experts, the country can earn a lot of foreign exchange from shrimp farming as shrimp is popular around the world and a conducive environment exists in Pakistan for production of this fish. A number of other projects are taking place around the country to promote aquaculture including free training in fish diseases, nutrition, breeding and water quality management.