Arshad Mahmood Awan
Pakistan’s fisheries sector, despite its considerable potential, remains an underdeveloped industry that struggles to make its mark on global markets. With over 1,050 kilometers of coastline and extensive inland water resources, the country possesses natural advantages that could position it as a major player in the global fisheries industry. However, despite contributing over $534 million in annual export revenues and providing livelihoods for thousands of people in coastal regions like Sindh and Balochistan, the sector has been persistently underutilized and plagued by poor management and structural inefficiencies.
The challenges faced by Pakistan’s fisheries sector are multifaceted and systemic, impacting both its domestic and international competitiveness. Key issues such as climate change, overfishing, illegal fishing practices, and regulatory inefficiencies continue to hinder growth, preventing the country from tapping into its full economic potential. As a result, Pakistan lags behind regional competitors like India and Bangladesh, both of which have managed to overcome similar challenges and establish themselves as leaders in the global fisheries market. Without urgent reforms, Pakistan’s fisheries sector faces the risk of further stagnation, potentially leading to increased poverty in fishing communities and an exacerbated trade deficit.
The Strain of Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
The impact of climate change on Pakistan’s fisheries sector cannot be overstated. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and water scarcity have significantly disrupted both inland and marine ecosystems. One notable example is Manchar Lake in Sindh, once a thriving hub for fish production. The lake has suffered severe environmental degradation due to pollution, algal blooms, and reduced water flow from the Indus River. The contamination has led to deoxygenated water, which is harmful to fish populations, resulting in a decline in biodiversity and a diminished capacity for fish production. The collapse of this once-thriving freshwater ecosystem is a direct result of climate change, poor management, and pollution, pushing local fishing communities into economic hardship.
Marine fisheries face similarly dire challenges. Overfishing in the Arabian Sea, exacerbated by illegal fishing practices such as the use of banned nets, has depleted vital fish stocks. Pollution from urban runoff further harms the marine ecosystem, reducing fish populations and affecting the overall health of coastal environments. The situation is compounded by rising fuel costs and a lack of cold storage facilities, which increase operating costs for exporters and significantly erode profit margins. These logistical challenges limit the ability of Pakistani fisheries to compete in international markets, where efficiency and product quality are crucial for success.
Inefficiencies in Regulation and Infrastructure
A major impediment to the growth of Pakistan’s fisheries sector is the country’s outdated and inefficient regulatory framework. The sector is burdened by complex and bureaucratic licensing requirements, with small-scale exporters facing delays and additional costs due to the need to obtain multiple permits for every marine product. These cumbersome processes deter investment and hinder the expansion of the sector. Moreover, the lack of effective enforcement against illegal fishing practices, such as the use of illegal nets, exacerbates the depletion of fish stocks and the deterioration of marine biodiversity.
Additionally, inadequate infrastructure, particularly in cold storage and transportation, represents a significant bottleneck in the fisheries value chain. Unlike other countries in the region, such as Vietnam, which has modernized its cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses, Pakistan continues to rely on outdated technology that is often unreliable, particularly during frequent electricity outages. The lack of investment in research and development further limits the sector’s ability to innovate and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation.
The High Costs of Inland Aquaculture
Inland aquaculture, a key segment of Pakistan’s fisheries industry, faces its own set of challenges. Fish farmers report that the costs of key inputs—such as fuel, feed, seed, and labor—are prohibitively high, often exceeding 400,000 rupees per acre. Furthermore, water shortages and fluctuating temperatures exacerbate the uncertainty, making aquaculture a high-risk venture for small-scale farmers. The sector’s reliance on traditional farming methods, coupled with limited access to capital, makes it difficult for farmers to scale up or invest in more efficient, sustainable practices. As a result, inland fish farming remains underdeveloped, and Pakistan continues to miss out on opportunities to diversify its fish production and meet growing demand in both domestic and export markets.
Regional Competitors: India and Bangladesh
While Pakistan’s fisheries sector struggles with these challenges, neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh have made significant strides in developing their own industries. India, for example, has embraced government-supported aquaculture initiatives, resulting in the country becoming one of the largest exporters of shrimp in the world. Similarly, Bangladesh has invested heavily in sustainable fishing practices and has gained international recognition for its successful fisheries reforms. These countries have capitalized on their coastal and freshwater resources, invested in research and infrastructure, and created a favorable policy environment for the growth of their fisheries sectors.
In contrast, Pakistan has failed to leverage its geographic advantages or implement policies that would enable the sector to thrive. The country lacks the necessary infrastructure, regulatory support, and investment in sustainable practices to compete with its regional neighbors. Without a concerted effort to modernize the sector and address its systemic challenges, Pakistan will continue to fall behind in the global fisheries market.
The Path to Revival: Strategic Interventions
Revitalizing Pakistan’s fisheries sector requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Immediate interventions, combined with long-term strategies, are necessary to address the sector’s many challenges and unlock its potential.
One crucial step is the streamlining of the regulatory environment. The government should consolidate the licensing process into a single-window system, reducing bureaucratic delays and encouraging investment in the sector. Stronger enforcement against illegal fishing practices is also essential to protect fish stocks and restore marine biodiversity. At the same time, the government should focus on upgrading cold storage and transportation infrastructure, which would reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of exported products.
To address the challenges posed by climate change, Pakistan should invest in research and development focused on developing climate-resilient aquaculture practices. This includes developing fish breeds that are better suited to higher temperatures and promoting the adoption of modern farming techniques, such as Biofloc technology, which allows for efficient fish farming in water-scarce areas. Government support for sustainable aquaculture practices, such as offering tax breaks for eco-friendly fishing methods, would also encourage private-sector investment and improve the overall sustainability of the sector.
Collaboration and Innovation: The Key to Success
Collaboration between the government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations will be critical to the successful transformation of Pakistan’s fisheries sector. Public-private partnerships could support vocational training programs for fish farmers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to adopt modern, sustainable practices. Furthermore, fostering regional partnerships with countries like India and Bangladesh could facilitate knowledge-sharing and open up new opportunities for joint ventures in international markets.
The growing digital economy also offers new avenues for expanding Pakistan’s fisheries sector. E-commerce platforms can connect fish farmers directly with consumers and exporters, reducing the reliance on intermediaries and improving profit margins for small-scale farmers. Improved marketing strategies, both domestically and internationally, would increase the visibility of Pakistani fish products and enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
Conclusion
Despite the formidable challenges it faces, Pakistan’s fisheries sector holds enormous untapped potential. By addressing the sector’s systemic issues—such as poor regulation, outdated infrastructure, and environmental degradation—Pakistan can unlock significant economic benefits. With the right policies, investments, and collaborations, the country can revitalize its fisheries industry, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and contributing to both food security and economic resilience. The fisheries sector is not just a source of income for coastal communities; it is a vital national asset. Saving it requires bold vision, strategic planning, and immediate action from all stakeholders.
