QUETTA, Aug 28: The Federal government is implementing a project to construct 11 shrimp farms and two hatcheries in Balochistan and Sindh at a cost of about Rs2 billion.

Out of 11 eight model shrimp clusters eight would be constructed in coastal areas of Balochistan. “Major portion of the fund allocated for the project would be spent in the province,” sources in provincial Fisheries Department told Dawn.

Chief Executive Officer of Fisheries Development Board of the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock Dr. Nasim Akhtar held meetings with all concerned officials and apprised them about the federal government’s project in detail.

Sources said that these model farms and hatcheries would be constructed on the basis of private-public partnership in both these provinces for developing this sector. Of the eight model shrimp farms, every one will comprise of up to 100 pond units of 1-2 acres each, 75 per cent of these ponds will be for private sector.

Under the plan a model fish market would also be constructed in coastal town of Gwadar. The Fisheries Development Board also plans to introduce intensive fish cage culture at Sabkzai and Meerani dams. “The objective of the project is to develop the coastal areas and alleviate poverty in these areas of Balochistan,” Secretary Fisheries Balochistan Ruhail Baloch told Dawn, adding that through this project employment opportunities and other allied economic activities would generate in the province.

The CEO of the Fisheries Development Board, Dr. Nasim Akhtar during his recent visit to Balochistan visited coastal areas and identified sites for shrimp farms and shrimp hatchery at Gadani, Dam Ormara, Pasni, Kalmat, Pishukan and Jiwani. The Provincial Secretary fisheries said that his department had moved a summary to the Balochistan government for the allotment of around 500 acres of land free of cost at each site identified for the project. “Around 100 acres of land is required for the construction of proposed hatchery complex,” he said.