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Warning bells rung on declining fish stocks

Five-pronged strategy proposed to boost production, protect coastal communities

Our Correspondent November 21, 2025 Less than a minute read

Bamboo baskets filled with the day’s catch – each fish reflects the quiet resilience and hard labour behind a life built on the sea. In recognition of such devotion, the United Nations observes World Fisheries Day on November 21, honouring the communities whose work nourishes millions. Photo: ONLINE

KARACHI:

World Fisheries Day, which is marked globally on November 21, highlights the mounting threats faced by marine ecosystems — a concern also shared by WWF-Pakistan, which called for immediate measures to protect the country's dwindling fishery resources.

The day draws attention to the need for sustainable fisheries management, safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities.

According to WWF-Pakistan, more than two-thirds of the world's fish stocks are either fully exploited or overexploited, while over one-third of critical habitats continue to deteriorate due to pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.

Pakistan is not immune to these global trends. Most coastal and marine fish stocks are facing heavy fishing pressure, reflected in stagnant or declining catches.

The growing threat is aggravated by high levels of bycatch — often involving endangered species such as whales, dolphins, and turtles — and the unchecked expansion of fishing fleets, all of which endanger marine biodiversity.