Optimism is slowly emerging among fishing families along Pakistan’s southwest coastline, as reforms, aquaculture investment and tighter regulation begin to shape expectations for a more stable future in Balochistan’s fisheries sector.

Officials say the provincial government, the Balochistan Fisheries Department, the federal government and growing Chinese investment are together signaling renewed hope for coastal communities that have faced years of economic uncertainty.

According to a Gwadar Pro's report, that outlook was reflected during the 9th CPEC Media Forum in Islamabad on December 24, 2025, when Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong stressed the importance of environmentally responsible growth in Gwadar’s fisheries sector.

“The third I call it fishery in Gwadar Port, because I think it will be good if we could develop onshore aquaculture because this will bring more income for local fishing people. because if we develop it on a large scale, then the environment may be undermined.

However, if we develop the onshore aquaculture industry, then we’ll protect the environment and also will make more money.

It is happy to see that there is one Chinese company, who tries to invest 15 million RMB to start such trying. and after the first phase of success in the onshore fishery, we will develop into the second phase which is offshore.”

For Gwadar’s fishermen, onshore aquaculture is seen as a way to diversify income and reduce reliance on uncertain sea catches.

The regulated aquaculture could help strengthen earnings while reducing pressure on marine resources.

The Government of Balochistan has also said the welfare of fishing communities remains central to its development strategy.

In a fisheries-focused video statement issued on December 22, 2024, the province highlighted shrimp farming initiatives, strengthened marine monitoring and the expansion of fish farming in dams and reservoirs along the province’s 700-kilometer coastline.

These efforts build on the Fisheries & Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035 introduced earlier this year, Pakistan’s first comprehensive fisheries policy, which recognizes fisheries and aquaculture as a formal industry and sets out long-term plans for sustainable resource management.

At the federal level, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has launched a transparent licensing program aimed at promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting the livelihoods of coastal fishermen, particularly in Balochistan.

From Gwadar’s port to smaller fishing towns along the Makran coast, more structured and sustainable development may finally be within reach, provided the Fisheries & Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035 is implemented in true spirit and Chinese investors move ahead with onshore and offshore aquaculture projects.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China