Harnessing Pakistan's Untapped Fisheries Potential for Food Security and Economic Growth

Strategic Insights -

Speakers at a workshop on the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025-2035 emphasized the need to recognize and harness the sector's potential to promote food security, reduce poverty, and drive sustainable economic growth in Pakistan. Despite its rich marine and inland water resources, the sector has long remained underdeveloped and underutilized, contributing less than 0.5% to the national GDP and capturing limited value from both domestic and export markets.

Key Takeaways:

  • The fisheries and aquaculture sector in Pakistan contributes less than 0.5% to the national GDP and captures limited value from both domestic and export markets, according to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.
  • The newly introduced National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025-2035 aims to foster federal-provincial harmonization, cross-cutting priorities such as climate resilience, environmental protection, child safety, gender inclusion, labour rights, and the adoption of modern technologies.
  • The policy's success depends on sustained commitment, effective coordination, and active engagement from all stakeholders across the country, as stated by the Federal Minister.
  • The sector could generate up to $10 billion in value with better management and value addition, according to Secretary of Maritime Affairs, Syed Zaffar Ali Shah.
  • Strong coordination between provincial and federal governments and across sectors is necessary for the policy's effective implementation, highlighted by Florence Rolle, FAO Representative.
  • Inclusive seminars were conducted nationwide to help shape the policy, with Balochistan's proactive development of its fisheries policy being praised by Rolle.
  • Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi emphasized the importance of stakeholder involvement, especially since fisheries are often neglected and highly climate-sensitive.
  • FAO's Senior Policy Specialist, Dr. Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, explained the policy's main features, including fiscal incentives, ecosystem conservation, women's empowerment, safe working environments, entrepreneurship, job creation for youth, and pollution control.

Statistics:

  • The fisheries sector contributes less than 0.5% to Pakistan's national GDP.
  • The sector could generate up to $10 billion in value with better management and value addition.
  • The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025-2035 aims to foster federal-provincial harmonization and cross-cutting priorities.
  • Inclusive seminars were conducted nationwide, helping shape the policy.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Maritime Affairs (Pakistan)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
  • Balochistan Fisheries Department
  • Sindh Fisheries Department
  • National Food Security and Research Council (Pakistan)