INLAND fisheries continue to suffer from multiple problems and there is no big initiative in sight to restore its previous galore.

Production of inland fish has been on the decline chiefly because of the disappearance of hundreds of fishing ponds and lakes during the last two decades and absence of proper fishing facilities in rivers and canals. In nine months of FY15, output of inland fish at 134,000 tonnes, is down from 149,000 tonnes from the same period of FY14, the statistics in the Economic Survey show.

This decline is not a one-time deviation but is in line with a historic trend. Harvesting of inland fish had topped 230,000 tonnes in nine months of FY07 and had since been falling gradually, information provided in previous economic surveys reveal. Inland fish production comprises both the fish catch obtained from inland water bodies including rivers, lakes, natural water ponds, dams and water reservoirs as well ass fish farms. Fishermen say till 1990s the bulk of inland fish production came from the first source and very little from the second one.

But from 2001, fish farming became popular resulting in more of inland fish production coming from this source. Today, they say, more than half of inland fish come from fish farms. In other words, had fish farming not been promoted our inland fish production would have been even lesser than what it is.

Fish farmers say over 150 fish farms are in operation in Sindh alone where about three dozen fish species are produced, including the famous Palla

But many recall that whereas fish farming itself has been a reason of decline in overall inland fish production because this sector, which is owned by mainly wealthy rural elite with political connections, has been pampered at the cost of fishing in natural water bodies by poor fishermen. But there are other equally important reasons for inland fisheries’ deterioration including declining fish population in rivers and lakes owing to climatic changes and lesser flow of fresh water in these and other water bodies, disappearance of wetlands and erection of residential and commercial buildings on their sites.

Inland fisheries, particularly fish farming, had received great attention between 2000-2006 when the then government had established a number of fish hatcheries and training facilities for fish farmers, officials and fishermen recall. They say that in those years, more than half a dozen fish species including trout, commoncarp and Indiancarp were introduced in these hatcheries where their population multiplied rapidly. According to a 2009 FAO report, the volume of fish obtained through fish farms rose from below 60,000 in 2001 to 130,000 tonnes in 2007, boosting the total production of overall inland fish.

Fish farmers say 150 plus fish farms are in operation in Sindh alone where about three dozen fish species are produced, including the famous Palla . They say that fish produced in fish farms generally get a higher price than fish caught in natural water bodies that form part of inland fisheries. The reason is that people who catch fish with traditional methods from rivers, canals and open water reservoirs generally don’t have the facilities to preserve them and have to sell their catch immediately to contractors or in local markets.

This is an area where the government support is much needed in the form of small loans for crafting of tiny wooden boats, purchase of nets and preservation of fishes.

Apart from government support, private investment in inland fisheries is also crucial particularly to boost per-acre fish production, experts say.

Under a USDA programme currently in operation in Punjab, talipia fish has been introduced for fish farming with a fish intake plan (soya based floating feed) that has boosted fish production to 5,000 fishes per acre of fish farm.

Unlike in case of local species, talipia culture can be well expanded utilising brackish water for fish production on commercial scale, fishermen say. Some initiatives are also required in the area of mud-crab farming in sweet waters.

With sea-level rising year after year and with floods and heavy rains lashing more frequently, prospects of improving fish catch from rivers, lakes and natural ponds remain mixed. It depends on how authorities and fishermen can turn the situation in their favour. For example, experts point out that whereas rising seas could devour marshy lands that can be a breeding place for some fishes and shrimp, flooding and heavy rains enhance water flows to rivers, lakes and canals thereby creating more favourable conditions for fishing. But the problem is when due to scant water flow in these water bodies rivers dry up their fish population starts dying—and nobody cares.

Traditional fishing communities living along the banks of Sindh river often confront this situation. Members of these communities say they know exactly when to speed up fish hauling before the river starts drying at places but they can’t do it because they don’t have enough of best-fitted boats.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business ,July 21st, 2015

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