Azeem Ahmed Khan

Modernizing Pakistan’s fishing sector is crucial for increasing productivity, enhancing fish quality, and boosting exports, said Sheraz Khan Niazi, a member of the Pakistan Fisheries Exporter Association, while talking to WealthPK. Sheraz, who represents Arsala Seafoods, said, “Pakistan’s fisheries sector holds immense potential, yet it is struggling to tap into its capacity for fish production and export growth.”

Advanced techniques in fishing, processing, and storage can improve efficiency and help meet international safety and quality standards, ultimately driving rapid growth in the sector, he added. Pakistan has a coastline of about 1,046km, offering extensive fishing and marine resource opportunities. Limited investment and inadequate infrastructure development have hindered the modernization of fish landing sites and processing facilities over the years.

Lack of government support and financial resources for upgrading these facilities has further deteriorated the issue. “Overall, government assistance and funding for the fisheries sector has remained insufficient compared to the needs of the industry,” he added. The government and private sectors need to collaborate on developing better facilities and establishing proper management practices at the fish landing sites.

The post-harvest losses in Pakistan can be as high as 30-40% due to inadequate storage and preservation facilities, resulting in a significant revenue loss for the fishermen and industry. Chiller machines and freezers are vital to maintain fish quality and extending shelf life. “Currently, there is a shortage of sufficient refrigeration capacity at several levels of the supply chain, which also contributes to the post-harvest losses.” In his opinion, it is essential to introduce standardized and insulated storage houses.

Training for fishermen or proper preservation techniques can also help maximize the quality of fish caught and reduce waste. Sheraz said importing countries have expressed their concerns about food safety, hygiene, and environmental contamination. Pakistan must improve compliance with international standards through sanitization practices, better monitoring of fishing practices, and regulations implementation.

Pakistan has engaged in marine farming, but the scale is limited due to the lack of investment, technology, and governmental support compared to the neighboring countries that have invested significantly in it, he said. Pakistan exports about 150,000 metric tons of fish and seafood, with a value of around $350 million annually. This varies year-to-year based on market conditions and internal production capabilities. Currently, the main export items include shrimp, fish fillets, and canned fish.

Shrimp production is an important part of Pakistan’s seafood export and is primarily exported to the United Arab Emirates, Europe and the United States of America. The Punjab government has taken successful steps to promote shrimp farming, he said. “I would encourage farmers to consider shrimp farming, as it can be highly beneficial both for their livelihoods and for enhancing the overall export potential of the fisheries sector.

There is significant potential to export trout, especially to the markets demanding high-value fish, but enhanced production techniques and quality control must be developed first,” Sheraz said. There is also potential to produce species like mollusks and other aquaculture products through strategic market analysis and development, he added. He also lauded the efforts of the Punjab Fisheries Department’s artificial breeding techniques for Pangasius, which have contributed to aquaculture growth in freshwater systems.

Pakistan also imports fish to meet domestic demand due to insufficient local production and to diversify seafood availability for consumers. He said that overfishing, illegal fishing, bottom trawling, and the use of destructive fishing gear such as gillnets and explosives have significantly damaged marine habitats. Strict regulatory measures are needed to mitigate these practices.

Credit: INP-WealthPk