KARACHI, May 11: A study on fisheries sector shows that it is playing an important role in providing livelihood to the local fishermen communities.

According to the latest figures issued by the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority, presently it is providing employment to 600,000 people.

The KFHA report shows that these people are not only directly involved in fishing, but are also employed in ancillary industries.

Pakistan has vast a coast on an area of 1,100 kms. The province of Balochistan covers 70 per cent area while Sindh has 30 per cent of the coastal area.

A majority of fishermen live in the coastal region of the country as their livelihood depends on fishing. A large number of fishermen in Sindh live in the coastal areas of Thatta, Badin and Karachi.

The statistics show that the annual seafood landing in the country is 6,50,000 tonnes while average daily landing at Karachi Fish Harbour is 350 tonnes.

Nearly 6,000 fishing boats operate in the Arabian sea.