International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2018, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A
Aquaculture in Pakistan: Challenges and opportunities
Author(s): Muhammad Younis Laghari
Abstract: The capture fisheries production is declining due to due to overexploiting natural resources. Therefore, the interest of aquaculture species is increasing to fulfil the aquatic protein demand of the pubic in the market. On the other hand, global environmental change, degradation of habitat, change in temperature, aquatic feed and original natural brood stock are the major challenge in aquaculture industry. In the present review, the challenges and opportunities in fisheries sector of Pakistan are discussed. The data and information were collected from the various sources including Fisheries Department of Pakistan, FAO and published literature. Pakistan is basically an agricultural country and is endowed with huge natural water resources, both freshwater and marine water as well as brackish water. Pakistan has an inland water area of about 79,200km
2. It is rich in a coastal of with an about of 1120 km long coastal belt with an Economical Exclusive Zone of 350 nautical miles, that covers an about 290,270km
2. Fisheries sector provide direct employment to about 400,000 fishermen and 600,000 people in ancillary industries. Estimated annual fisheries production is about 0.6 mmt including 63% marine and 37% inland. Pakistan has about 193 freshwater fish species, and 800 marine species. Only 31 fresh water fish species are considered as commercially important those are cultured. While, 120 marine species are commercially important but none of marine species yet practiced for being cultured. The domestic consumption of fish is about 1.9 kg per capita is the lowest in the world. However, unlimited resources are evidence that fisheries play an important role in human diet and economic development of country. Fisheries production is of top 10 export commodities that share 1.0% of the country’s total GDP. However, in recent year fisheries sector facing with numerous challenges including natural and anthropogenic such as natural disasters, climate change, industrialization, environmental pollution and overfishing. These factors collectively have great threat to food security and income of the community. Therefore, immediate actions are required by the government and policymakers.
Pages: 56-59 | 6528 Views 2788 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Muhammad Younis Laghari. Aquaculture in Pakistan: Challenges and opportunities. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2018;6(2):56-59.