KARACHI, Dec 9: Keeping in view the rising demand for Pakistani seafood in the international market, fisheries authorities here are working on a multi- dimensional plan to further improve the working conditions at the Karachi Fish Harbour.

Pakistani seafood is in great demand in European Union, Middle-eastern and some Asian countries. In the past few years envoys of these countries have made frequent visits to the harbour and shown keen interest in the development works taking place there.

They also offered joint ventures in the fisheries sector and fisheries- related allied business. These new developments have been witnessed in the fisheries sector during the past three and a half years after a new administration took charge of the sector.

The administration, headed by a serving navy official, embarked on a gigantic operation to improve the working conditions at the harbour in order to attract foreign investors.

As a result of these efforts, the Karachi Fish Harbour has now been recognized as one of the best harbours by the world community because of improved facilities.

The administration has now chalked out a new multi-pronged strategy to improve the operational capacity of the harbour and improve the facilities.

The main components of the plan are removal of all sorts of obstructions in the way of boat traffic, improving hygienic conditions at market halls, improving washing and preservation facilities for fish-catch and removing unauthorized structures inside the harbour.

The gigantic plan has already been put into operation which will continue till Jan 6.

Renovation work on market halls is in an advanced stage. At the same time special arrangements have been made for washing fish-catch with soft water.

A ban has already been imposed on the use of traditional hand-made baskets, and in their place plastic baskets are allowed for transportation of fish- catch.

Earlier, the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authorities, in collaboration with the Fishermen Cooperative Society, made it compulsory for boatowners to replace their old wooden storage system.

ABANDONED BOATS: In a gigantic operation, the authorities have removed more than 70 abandoned boats that were creating obstacles in the way of boat traffic movement from the harbour channel.