‘Quality control lab essential to check fish meat in South Punjab’

Several shopkeepers are selling fish in such markets where cleanliness and storage arrangements are poor


APP January 16, 2017
PHOTO: AFP

MULTAN: South Punjab, a region rich in fish production, lacks a quality control lab for analysis of hygiene proteins as there is no mechanism to monitor quality and keep check on sale of fish meat.

South Punjab is on top in fish production as nearly 40,000 acres of fish farms are located in Muzaffargarh, Multan, Khanewal, Lodharan, Vehari, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah and some other districts of the region. The number of fish farms are on the rise as it is a highly profitable business. The region, in fact, responds to fish needs of the entire province.

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Fisheries Assistant Director Chaudhary Ibrar Gujjar said several shopkeepers are selling fish in such markets where cleanliness and storage arrangements are poor.

These conditions affect the quality of fish, especially protein, which is a vital element of food, he added.

He maintained some shopkeepers sell small fish which is equal to damaging the fish species and meat production for future needs. “Nearly 10% fish species get affected due to sale of small fish,” he said.

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“Our rivers are producing nearly 3% of fish meat while private farms are contributing 97% for the public needs,” the assistant director maintained.

He pointed out there is only one lab for analysis of hygiene protein, which is situated in Lahore.  “Although the government is focusing on fisheries department, one such lab should also be set up in Multan or any other district.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2017.

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