Pakistan Launches 10-Year National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy to Revitalize Underperforming Sector

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan on Wednesday launched a 10-year National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2025-2035) to revitalize its underperforming fisheries sector. The policy sets out a roadmap for sustainable development, food security, and unlocking the economic potential of the country's vast marine and freshwater resources. Despite Pakistan's expansive inland and marine waters, fisheries and aquaculture currently contribute less than 0.5% to the country's GDP. The policy emphasizes the role of the fisheries sector in addressing food insecurity, reducing poverty, and promoting economic growth through more effective collaboration between provincial and federal institutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2025-2035) is a 10-year plan to revitalize Pakistan's underperforming fisheries sector, with the goal of unlocking the economic potential of the country's vast marine and freshwater resources.
  • The policy aims to contribute up to 0.5% to the country's GDP, and proper management and value chain development could help the sector generate up to $10 billion in economic value.
  • The policy emphasizes environmental stewardship, climate resilience, labor and child welfare, gender inclusion, and the adoption of modern aquaculture technologies.
  • Institutional reform and capacity-building are central pillars of the plan, with a focus on effective collaboration between provincial and federal institutions.
  • The policy directly confronts existing challenges such as overfishing and weak regulatory oversight.
  • The policy has been praised for its inclusive design, with all provinces consulted in the drafting process.
  • The FAO Representative in Pakistan, Florence Rolle, highlighted Balochistan's proactive efforts in fisheries management as a model for others to follow.
  • The policy reflects voices from all provinces and aligns with international environmental and sustainability standards.
  • The reforms, if implemented with a climate-conscious approach, could draw significant global investment into the sector.

Statistics:

  • Less than 0.5% of Pakistan's GDP comes from fisheries and aquaculture.
  • Up to $10 billion in economic value could be generated through proper management and value chain development in the fisheries sector.
  • 10 years: the duration of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2025-2035).
  • Balochistan's proactive efforts in fisheries management are being highlighted as a model for others to follow.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Maritime Affairs (speaker, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan)
  • Ministry of National Food Security and Research (Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Animal Husbandry Commissioner)
  • FAO (Dr. Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, Senior Policy Specialist)
  • World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on fisheries subsidies