(1888PressRelease)
April 21, 2007 - Aquaculture Technologies launched the first website on Aquaculture in Pakistan in 2005. The updated new look website has been relaunched on to a new URL. The new website contains additional information and covers almost all aspects of Aquaculture in Pakistan.
The seas have historically fulfilled two important functions; first as a means of communication, and secondly, as an immense reservoir of resources. The Indian Ocean, the third largest ocean in the world together with its adjoining seas has over 15 million active fishermen, the largest number in the world. Second to Pacific, the Indian Ocean accounts for the largest number of commercial marine species and the largest share of full-time fishermen in the world. In fish diversity too, the Indian Ocean is second only to the Pacific. Fish is an important source of food as well as employment, income and foreign exchange in the region.
World capture fisheries have dropped and levelled off, probably for good. This levelling off, coupled with a growing world population and increasing per capita demand for fish is worrying. Ever increasing global demands for sea food, could in part, be met by the following: reducing post-harvest losses; an increase in the use of presently under-utilized species; and increased production from aquaculture. Today, nearly half the fish consumed as food worldwide are raised on fish farms rather than caught in the wild.
Aquaculture, beyond any doubt, is one of the fastest growing food production systems in the world. Asia dominates the world in aquaculture production and the sector is extremely diversified in species, technologies and farming systems employed. The region provides 91 percent of global aquaculture production. In 1997, the combined aquaculture production was 32.63 million MT valued at US$41.95 billion, an increase of 144 percent and 117 percent in weight and value, respectively compared to 1988. Aquaculture has the potential to provide those fishermen put out of work as well as new recruits with a job in aquaculture. Fisheries and aquaculture production is a clear contributor to national economies across the Indian Ocean region.
Aquaculture makes an important contribution to GDP. Bangladesh with a production value of US$1.36 billion, contributes nearly 2.7% to GDP. Thailand and Indonesia contribute 2.07 and 1.66% to GDP respectively. Over the past 20 years, many developing countries have become net exporters of fish, rather than net importers, a trend very evident in the Southeast Asia region. Thailand is a major exporting State in the region, exporting 1.2 million tonnes of fisheries products with the foreign exchange earning of US$ 3.7 billion in 2002. Iran’s shrimp export revenues were 26 million Euros in 2005 and estimated at 25-26 million Euros this year.
In the Indian Ocean region, Pakistan is way behind other countries in the field of aquaculture. Commercial Marine aquaculture simply does not exist, even though we have a coastline that stretches to about 1,046 km. Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone is spread over 240,000 Sq. Km, is still waiting for the availability of resources for exploitation of its potential. The Baluchistan coast is around 750 km. Major areas of the coastline are desolate and scantily populated. Due to non-availability of resources, a majority of the people have migrated to the North or to Karachi. Interest in marine finfish and shrimp farming is gaining momentum in the province of Sindh. A few hatcheries are already experimenting with local shrimp species.
Various aquaculture activities along the Baluchistan and Sindh coast are being planned. These would not only provide alternate livelihood to the local communities but also earn huge foreign exchange for Pakistan in the near future. But we must learn from the mistakes of other countries where several problems have occurred due to bad management, irresponsible and unregulated aquaculture practices. The concerns and needs to be addressed will include increasing the emphasis on aquaculture and aquafarmers in national development plans to enhance institutional and financial support to the sector; providing an enabling environment with appropriate policy, legal and institutional framework to facilitate access to key development resources such as money and knowledge; stimulating investments in aquaculture development; In sum, the prospects for aquaculture development are bright and envisaged expectations are achievable. Their achievement can be ensured by creating the appropriate environments for improved support to producers, enhanced participation, strengthened networking, better information and regional and global cooperation. In order to sufficiently develop aquaculture, governmental and fisheries agencies should offer incentives to farmers and potential investors.
These include lease of land at reasonable rates under a Land Grant Policy, Soft Loans, income and profit tax rebates and assistance with collective infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water channels, bunds and drainage. These agencies need to set up a pilot finfish and shrimp project and training centre to encourage farmers and investors. To give incentives to the private sector for setting up an aquatic feed mill and alternate additional Finfish and Shrimp Hatcheries. To contribute to reduction in the cost of production by reducing taxes on aquatic feeds, and to consider the increasing need to ensure that aquaculture is eco-friendly and that farming native and popular species as well as the possible introduction of new exotic species can be achieved without endangering the ecological balance. Sustainable aquaculture development calls for strategies to improve the quality of water used by the fish farmers, and farm management technologies, as well as environmentally friendly coastal sites. If these are ensured, aquaculture projects can be efficiently, effectively and profitably implemented.
