Pakistan set to introduce National Fisheries Policy

After securing quota to harvest 25,000 metric tonnes of tuna from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Pakistan is set to introduce a comprehensive National Fisheries Policy and consultation with relevant stakeholders has commenced.

The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday that the country has obtained a quota to catch 25,000 metric tonnes of tuna from the Indian Ocean and it is expected to increase fish exports and enhance Pakistan's presence in international seafood markets.

The quota is granted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN to promote cooperation among the member countries to ensure management, conservation and optimum utilisation of fish and sea food stocks as well as encourage sustainable development of fisheries based on such stocks.

"We are also working to strengthen aquaculture, an area with vast potential, and it is expected to contribute $200 million in the next two years," said Minister Chaudhry, in a meeting with the Fisheries Development Commissioner Mian Aftab Ali. It was decided that a Fisheries Development Fund should be formed to provide financial stability and promote innovation across the sector.

The Fisheries Development Commission has suggested for the need to modernise infrastructure and technological support to harness aquaculture's capabilities in country, and for that purpose incentive packages for the fishing industry will be announced soon.

This includes support for fishing vessels, aquaculture equipment, and value-added seafood products. The ministry of maritime affairs has finalised plans to revitalise the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority.

While inland and coastal fishing was the domain of the provinces, the KFHA is a federal government entity.

The Federal Minister reaffirmed the government's resolve to create a policy framework that not only supports the fishing community but also ensures environmental sustainability, export diversification, and economic resilience.

The meeting underscored the Ministry's renewed commitment to revitalising and modernising Pakistan's marine economy and a series of consultative workshops to be held in major cities of the country including Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad next month to attract investments in marine fisheries sector.

"The National Fisheries Policy will serve as a roadmap for sustainable development and increased exports," he said.