Disastrous Floods Endanger Trout Fish Farms in KP

APP

Peshawar: Disastrous floods caused by climate change have inflicted irreparable damage on the trout fish farming industry in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, threatening its survival as farm owners and skilled laborers seek alternative sources of income.

“The catastrophic deluge from the 2022 floods severely impacted the trout farming sector, destroying around 250 farms, including nine public sector hatcheries, and washing away hundreds of tonnes of fish stock,” stated Ameenullah, President of the All Trout Fish Farms Association in Swat.

“Swat is home to about 300 fish farms, primarily situated near river embankments or canals fed by glacial water. Unfortunately, around 229 of these farms were completely devastated by the floods,” Ameenullah shared in an interview with APP. He noted that trout is specifically reared in cold glacial water, which is why most farms are located in the Swat district.

According to estimates from the Fisheries Department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the floods caused approximately Rs. 2 billion in damage to the fisheries sector in 2022. Nearly two years later, only ten to twelve fish farm owners have managed to revive their operations on a small scale, largely due to a lack of financial resources.

To restock their farms with 10,000 fries, owners require around Rs. 2 million. Additionally, raising those fries to maturity over approximately 15 months necessitates an investment of Rs. 10 million, Ameenullah explained.

He further disclosed that many trout fish farm owners, unable to secure the finances needed to restart their businesses, have migrated from Swat to other regions of Pakistan or even abroad.

Skilled labor associated with trout fish farming has increasingly relocated to major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Mardan, in search of new sources of income due to the complete closure of fish farms, according to Ameenullah, President of the Swat Trout Fish Farms Association, which comprises over 300 members.

“Many trout farm owners have migrated to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries to earn money to pay off loans taken to start their trout fish businesses,” Ameenullah stated. The closure of farms has left hundreds of trained workers jobless, as each farm typically provided employment for five to twenty individuals.

“About 1,500 people in Swat depend directly on trout farms for their livelihoods, with thousands more affected through related jobs in hotels, eateries, and shops,” observed Usman Ali, General Secretary of the Swat Trout Fish Farms Association.

Usman himself lost a significant trout farm in Madyan, along with a restaurant that catered to tourists, all of which were washed away in the 2022 floods. He also reported the destruction of six trout farms in Mankiyal, along with eleven others.

The trout fish industry in KP has faced severe financial setbacks three times in the past twelve years: first during the devastating floods of 2010, then due to the COVID-19 lockdown in 2019, which banned tourist visits to scenic resorts, and most recently because of the catastrophic floods in 2022.

Unfortunately, since the last floods, no support has been provided to trout farm owners by either the government or non-governmental organizations, leaving them to navigate their losses independently. Those who have managed to restart their businesses have had to secure funds through bank loans, selling land, jewelry, and other valuables.

Additionally, rising costs have compounded the difficulties for trout fish owners. The price of feed has surged from Rs. 70-75 per kg in 2022 to Rs. 250-300 per kg.

The rising cost of soybean has also diminished the quality of fish meal, increasing the growth period for trout fry (baby fish) from 14-15 months to 23-24 months to achieve a weight of one kg.

Consequently, the price of one kg of trout fish has risen from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,500, significantly impacting sales due to the high cost of the commodity.

Ghulam Mohiuddin, Director of Fisheries in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), highlighted that poor-quality feed and rising prices have led to a surge in mortality rates among fish stocks in GB.

He noted that floods have also damaged several farms in GB, with no progress made in their revival due to the substantial investments required. Mohiuddin expressed concern about the threats posed by climate change to trout farming, as frequent damages deter investors from entering this high-risk sector.

He suggested establishing a cold chain system to facilitate the supply of trout fish from mountainous regions to major cities, where consumers are willing to pay higher prices.

In mountainous areas, trout fish farmers primarily earn by selling their catch to tourists, while local demand during the off-season is low due to limited purchasing power.

Supplying major cities could provide a much-needed financial boost for trout fish owners and help revive the industry, which is currently struggling under the disastrous impacts of climate change, Mohiuddin concluded.