Pakistan needs to fine-tune fishery policies: experts

Published September 26, 2020
The final policy will be presented to the government after a second consultation with the fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders. — Photo courtesy Basil Andrews/File
The final policy will be presented to the government after a second consultation with the fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders. — Photo courtesy Basil Andrews/File

ISLAMABAD: The existing fisheries legislation in Pakistan needs to conform to the international standards for sustainable management and utilisation of fisheries resources as there is a need to establish an enabling environment and right policy and legal framework for investors, United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representative in Pakistan Mina Dowlatchahi said.

Emphasising the need for policy formulation at a stakeholder consultation webinar in Islamabad, the FAO representative said increased investment in the sector can contribute significantly to create income-generating opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture. This will contribute to improving food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction in the country, she said.

The FAO in collaboration with the Fisheries Development Board (FDB) of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research organised a stakeholders’ consultation webinar for developing a ‘National Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Policy and Plan of Action for 2020-30’.

The proposed policy aims for sustainable management and utilisation of fisheries and aquaculture resources through creation of a conducive and enabling environment for equitable, economic and social development in the country.

The fisheries and aquaculture policy will help achieve sustainable development goals. There is a dire need to conduct a holistic sectoral analysis of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Pakistan to identify the investment gaps and constraints hindering development opportunities in the sector, the meeting noted.

“To critically assess the needs of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, this would be the first ever policy formulation in line to the government policy of economic growth,” FDB Chief Executive Officer Dr Anser Mehmood Chatta said during the webinar.

The government had requested FAO for technical support for the development of the fisheries policy. Fisheries and aquaculture sector provides employment to 1.8 million households in the country. The current government has approved three mega projects to promote the sector. “We need feedback and consensus by the stakeholders on the policy formulation so that the policy is finalised and presented to the government,” Chatta said.

FAO technical experts gave detailed presentations on the outline draft policy for fisheries and aquaculture. The final policy will be presented to the government after a second consultation with the fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2020

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...