Pakistani seafood products are in high demand
PHOTO: AFP
Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has said that seafood products including fish, shrimps, crabs and squids, as well as fish fillets and frozen and canned items can find their way to the international markets if adherence to quality standards and use of latest technology is ensured.
This he said while speaking at a seminar, the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) organised to commemorate World Fisheries Day at Bahria University.
He said that he was happy for the professionals and policymakers on this significant occasion of World Fisheries Day 2023, marked by the theme Conservation through Collaboration: Developing Fishermen’s Communities.
The CM said, the fishing communities are not only the guardians of the sea, they embody the essence of our cultural heritage, preserving traditions that have been cherished and passed down through generations. “As we come together to observe World Fisheries Day, it is only fitting that we shine a spotlight on these communities, placing them at the forefront of our discussions,” he said.
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Baqar further mentioned, Pakistan is blessed with a coastline stretching over 1,000km and an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 290,000 sq. km, including the extended continental shelf. “This endowment positions Pakistan with significant potential for the development of the blue economy,” he said and added, our marine fishing activities are concentrated along the coasts of Sindh and Balochistan, constituting 30 per cent and 70 per cent of Pakistan’s total coastal area, respectively.
The CM said that fishing has been a vital source of sustenance for communities along the Indus River and the Arabian Sea. “Our waters harbour approximately 70 commercial fish species,” he disclosed and said that the fisheries sector not only significantly contributes to our economy but also forms a strong source of livelihoods for our coastal communities.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2023.