About 80% Fish Stock Has Been Depleted: Expert

 News Desk

Karachi: Fisheries experts at a webinar in Karachi underlined joint efforts of the government and stakeholders essential for transforming the fisheries sector to address depleting fish stocks and economic prosperity.

The fisheries sector has a lot of potential not only to address depleting fish stocks in the country but its economic prosperity. However, it can be developed with the active support of all stakeholders, including federal and provincial governments, said Sindh Secretary Livestock and Fisheries Tameezuddin Khero.

Pakistan needs transformation of fisheries sector to address depleting fish stock & economic prosperity: Experts

Secretary Livestock Khero emphasized that there is a need to empower the provincial fisheries domain as per 18th Amendment. He also suggested that all stakeholders, including the seafood processing industry, fishermen, harbor authorities, and government regulators, have to align their efforts and work together to improve the situation.

The event was organized by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), in connection with “World Fisheries Day”. The theme of the webinar was “Protecting Marine Fisheries Resources of Pakistan – Way Forward towards Sustainable Fisheries”.

It is to mention here that “World Fisheries Day” is celebrated every year to emphasize the importance of a healthy ocean, stock assessment and ensuring workable practices for sustainable fisheries and also to show solidarity to all fishing communities and the concerned stakeholders.

Deep Blue Seafoods Head Faisal Iftikhar, on the occasion, informed that almost 80 per cent of the fish stock has been depleted. He proposed the promotion of aquaculture practices as an alternative for the fisherman community to reduce the pressure on fish stock.

Protecting Marine Fisheries Resources Crucial for Economic Prosperity: Fisheries experts

WWF Technical Advisor Moazzam Khan highlighted the significance and need for protecting marine fisheries resources to promote sustainable fishing practices. WWF Khan also recommended that the reduction in post-harvest losses will ensure additional raw material as well as fetching better prices.

Dr Farhad Kaymaram and Dr Tooraj Valinasaab, Iranian fisheries experts, highlighted the issue of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing practices as the main cause of depleting the fish stock resources, especially Yellowfin Tuna. The foreign fisheries experts recommended to all the stakeholders to work together ensuring compliance for conservation and management measures for sustainable fish stock. Dr Valinassab also stressed upon Pakistan, Iran, Oman and other regional countries to work together.