LAHORE, April 30: Fishing practices by multinational companies of the industrialized countries are detrimental to the developing countries, especially Pakistan. "These companies are fast depleting Pakistan's fish stocks in an unsustainable way," said University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences' fisheries and wildlife faculty dean Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan.

During 2003, he said, Pakistan produced 665,850 metric tons of fish and earned $130 million through its exports. Prof Khan has been given the World Fisheries Congress Mentorship Award by the American Fisheries Society. He will attend the five-day fourth World Fisheries Congress being held in Vancouver, Canada, from May 2.

Prof Khan, who is also member of the International Steering Committee of the congress, said the theme of the congress was "Reconciling fisheries with conservation: the challenge of managing aquatic ecosystems."

He said the congress would emphasize promotion of fish farming, which could help reduce harvest pressure on the remaining wild fish stocks and make up for the decline in fish production from rivers and streams.

He said the congress was expected to be attended by around 1,800 renowned fisheries' scientists, and representatives of industry, environmental groups, major foundations and the government.