Fishing in Pakistan: Industry Overview

The practice of catching fish, primarily in coastal areas of Pakistan, serving as a source of food and income for local communities.

Fishing done for a fisherman's family consumption using traditional methods like small boats and nets. It is common in coastal areas of Sindh and Baluchistan.

Fishing done for profit on a large scale using modern techniques and equipment. It involves catching fish for sale.

Raising fish in controlled environments like ponds, lakes, or other water bodies for commercial purposes.

Fishing in freshwater bodies like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, both for subsistence and commercial purposes.

Subsistence fishing faces challenges like limited areas to fish, dependence on weather conditions, and lack of modern equipment.

Commercial fishing utilizes large-scale modern techniques and equipment for efficient fish catching. It involves specialized nets, vessels, and processing methods.

The main issue facing Pakistan's fishing industry is insufficient funding or mismanagement in its development. This hinders progress and makes it difficult to improve fishing practices and infrastructure.

The Makran Coast faces significant challenges. These include:

• Lack of electricity preventing the establishment of ice factories.
• Low education levels hamper training for modern fishing techniques and processing.
• Poor communication hinders efficient fish trade and quality.

Overfishing has led to the depletion of fish stocks in Pakistan. Construction of dams like Tarbela and Mangla has contributed to the problem. Dams reduce freshwater flow, allowing seawater intrusion into the Indus Delta, displacing farmers and increasing pressure on fish populations.

Bycatch refers to marine life unintentionally caught during fishing operations. This can include species that are not targeted and may be discarded, leading to waste and disruption of marine ecosystems.

Sustainable fishing involves responsible practices that ensure the long-term health of fish populations and marine ecosystems.

To allow depleted fish populations to recover, fishing for endangered species must be prohibited. This protects vulnerable marine life and helps ensure biodiversity.

Using nets with specific hole sizes can significantly reduce bycatch. This allows smaller fish to escape, contributing to healthy populations and avoiding unnecessary waste.

Fishing during the breeding season of fish species should be prohibited to allow populations to reproduce and replenish. This is crucial for the long-term sustainability of fisheries.

Illegal fishing poses a significant threat to fish stocks. It often involves practices that disregard regulations, such as catching smaller and immature fish, leading to depletion of future generations.

Fishing quotas are limits set for countries on the amount of fish they can catch in international waters. This helps to ensure sustainable fishing practices and avoid overfishing.

Embankments in fish ponds are constructed from soil and are designed to prevent water from escaping the pond.

Planting trees around fish ponds provides shade, reduces soil erosion, and contributes to the pond's ecosystem by providing food for fish once the leaves decompose.

The sides of fish ponds are lined with materials like stones or cement to minimize water loss due to seepage into the ground.

Cow dung or fertilizer added to fish ponds acts as food for microorganisms, which in turn serve as a food source for fish.

Raising poultry alongside fish ponds can be a beneficial practice, as it offers a secondary food source and potential income.

Paved roads are constructed within fish farms to facilitate transportation of fish, equipment, and personnel.

Adding limes to half-filled ponds clears the water, making it transparent and suitable for fish introduction.

After liming and filling the pond completely, fish are introduced from hatcheries to begin the farming cycle.

Once introduced, fish are provided with vaccinations and supplementary food to ensure their health and growth.

Marine fishing in Pakistan is predominantly carried out by companies operating along the Sindh coastline.

Motorized boats are used in marine fishing to reach deeper waters and capture fish stocks that are less accessible to traditional fishing methods.

Marine fishing boats are equipped with refrigeration facilities, allowing for extended fishing trips without the need for immediate landing of the catch.

Gill nets, a type of fishing net, are used to efficiently catch large quantities of fish in marine fishing operations.

Sonar technology is utilized in marine fishing to locate schools of fish, enabling fishermen to target specific areas and optimize their catches.

Marine fishermen rely on weather forecasts for safe navigation, especially during long fishing trips, and to ensure the safe return of their catch.