PAKISTAN FISHERIES REVITALIZATION

The underlying potential of Pakistan’s fisheries and aquatic resources is not reflected in current production, growth, and value. A leading challenge is the serious over-exploitation of marine fisheries stocks due to overcapacity in fishing fleets, illegal fishing methods, and lack of surveillance and licensing. No certification body for Marine Stewardship Certification (MSC) at present exists in Pakistan. Also, Pakistani fish exporters receive relatively low prices because the majority of their product is unprocessed or targeted toward low-value market segments. High-value markets such as the EU, Japan, and the United States are the world’s biggest markets for seafood, yet at present, they account for less than 3 percent of Pakistan’s export earnings from fisheries. With improvements in quality, recognized through international certification, Pakistan’s fisheries could capture a bigger percentage of these markets.