TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction……………………………………………………. 2
1.1fisheries……………………………………………………... 2
1.2 background………………………………………………… 2
1.3 Fishery resources………………………………………….. 3
1.4 Fisheries sector contributions …………………………… 3
1.5 Fishery status in different provinces of Pakistan………. 3
Marine resources……………………………………………….. 4
2.1 Demersal Fish ……………………………………………… 4
2.2 Shrimp………………………………………………………. 4
2.3 Small Pelagic Fish………………………………………….. 4
2.4 Large Pelagic Fish………………………………………….. 5
Inland Resources……………………………………………...... 5
3.1 Natural lakes……………………………………………...... 5
3.2 warm water lakes………………………………………….. 5
3.3 small lakes………………………………………………….. 5
3.4 dams………………………………………………………… 6
3.5 reservoirs…………………………………………………… 6
3.6 fisheries development board……………………………… 6
Laws related fishery…………………………………………… 7
4.1 Punjab ordinance ,1961…………………………………… 7
4.2 definition……………………………………………………
7
4.3 explantion…………………………………………………..
8
4.4 laws………………………………………………………….
8-10
4.5 according to first schedule………………………………..
10
4.6 Some other laws related fisheries………………………...
10-11
Conclusion ……………………………………………………..
13
Bibliography……………………………………………………
14
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Fishery
The term fishery is used to describe the waters where fishing takes place, or the species of fish
being harvested. A fishery is an entity engaged in raising or harvesting fish which is
determined by some authority to be a fishery.1 According to the FAO, a fishery is typically
defined in terms of the "people involved, species or type of fish, area of water or seabed,
method of fishing, class of boats, purpose of the activities or a combination of the foregoing
features". 2The definition often includes a combination of fish and fishers in a region, the latter
fishing for similar species with similar gear types.3
A
fishery
may
involve
the
capture
of wild
fish or
raising
fish
through fish
farming or aquaculture.
1.2 Background
Pakistan is endowed with fishery resources that have an immense potential for development.
At present, this sector's contribution to the overall gross domestic product (GDP) is about 0.8%,
which is relatively small in comparison to other Asian countries. But there is much scope for
growth.
Pakistan is the world’s sixth-most populous country, with approximately 193 million people in
2017 and a per-capita income of US$1,629. The poverty rate (US$1.90 per day or less) has
decreased from 13.2 percent of the population in 2007 to an estimated 4.9 percent in 2017-18.
However, Pakistan’s human development indicators—education, nutrition, and gender equity,
among others—remain low compared to countries globally and to other South Asian nations.
This is particularly true in rural areas, home to two thirds of the population, where a large
1 Fletcher, WJ; Chesson, J; Fisher, M; Sainsbury KJ; Hundloe, T; Smith, ADM and Whitworth, B
(2002) The "How To" guide for wild capture fisheries. National ESD reporting framework for
Australian fisheries: FRDC Project 2000/145. Page 119–120
2 FAO
3 Madden, CJ and Grossman, DH (2004) A Framework for a Coastal/Marine Ecological Classification
Standard Archived October 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. NatureServe, page 86. Prepared
for NOAA under Contract EA-133C-03-SE-0275
1
proportion of households are highly dependent on agriculture, fishing, and other natural
resources.4
1.3 Fishery resources
Pakistan is endowed with fishery resources that have significant potential to make a bigger
contribution to economic growth and social development. The Arabian Sea is one of the most
biologically productive areas in the world, and the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
in these waters has recently been extended. Inland are numerous productive waterways, and
substantial area and suitable agro-climatic conditions for aquaculture. Globally, demand for
protein-rich fisheries products continues to rise, providing opportunities for ocean-facing
countries such as Pakistan. With the world population continuing to climb, and increasing
incomes shifting fish consumption habits, demand for fish will continue to grow. With it,
opportunities for ocean-facing and aquaculture-proficient nations will increase.
1.4 Fisheries sector contributions
Pakistan’s fisheries contribute to economic growth and social development, but their full
potential is not being realized. The sector currently produces an estimated US$650 million of
fish annually, equivalent to about 0.4 percent of GDP, and employs a reported 390,000 people
directly. Yet parts of the sector are struggling: the marine capture fishery has suffered a
decrease in production and per-unit value due to overfishing over the past two decades
(Fanning et al. 2016). The aquaculture industry is growing only slowly and lacks crucial
planning and governance arrangements. Post-harvest processing of fish is hampered by poor
quality control and outdated technologies, and much processing capacity is focused on lowergrade products such as fishmeal5.
1.5 Fishery status in different provinces of Pakistan
Sindh has Pakistan’s most varied fishing activities, including coastal fishing, marine fishing,
and inland fishing in the Indus River and associated streams, as well as in a large number of
lakes. Fishing in Baluchistan is primarily marine, due to its long coastline and limited inland
water bodies. In Punjab, fishing is concentrated around the abundance of rivers, canals, lakes,
and dams. Fishing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan has lesser economic importance
due to the colder climate and mountainous terrain. Fishing there is primarily for local
4 P.Patil,D.Kaczan,Revitilizing Pakistan fisheries,Collaborative Partneship,2018,pg 17
5 P.Patil,D.Kaczan,Revitilizing Pakistan fisheries,Collaborative Partneship
2
consumption and recreation. Aquaculture, meanwhile, is largely concentrated in Punjab, Sindh,
and to a lesser extent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.6
2. MARINE RESOURCES
With the declaration of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 1976, Pakistan’s fishing limits
were extended to 200 nautical miles from the shore, providing the country with a fishing area
of approximately 196,600 square kilometers with shoreline areas of less than 200 meters in
depth estimated at around 50,000 square Ki l o m e t r e s .
The entire coastline, of about 1,100 kilometers (km) bordering the Arabian Sea, lies within the
subtropical zone and is divided into the coasts of Sindh, and Makran in Baluchistan. The
continental shelf off the Makran coast is steep, rough and very narrow, i.e., between 12-32 km
wide. The Sindh coast, on the other hand, has an extended 40-120 km shelf area. The large
estuarine delta of the river Indus provides good nurseries for finfish, shrimp and other marine
life.7
2.1 Demersal Fish
Recent information on demersal fish stock indicate that the total biomass within the EEZ, up
to a depth of 200 meters, is around 380,700 tones. This would mean that the potential yield
would be about 123,000 tones. The present yield is about 94,000 tones indicating a surplus of
29,000 tones.8
2.2 Shrimp
Shrimp constitute the backbone of the marine fishery industry in Pakistan, contributing about
80% to the foreign exchange earned through exports. The Indus Delta provides a large nursery
for the shrimp. Shrimp stocks, however, are already overexploited. Recent increases in catch
6 P.Patil,D.Kaczan,Revitilizing Pakistan fisheries,Collaborative Partneship
7 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy ,editon 5
,pg no.1-3,1995.
8 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy ,editon 5
,pg no.1-3,1995
3
are deceptive and were due partly to a ban on fishing being observed, and partly the result of a
ship building boom that began in 1982. 9
2.3 Small Pelagic Fish
Information regarding small pelagic fish is limited. The research vessel Dr. Fridtj Nansen
executed three acoustic surveys in 1983-84. From the results, estimates of a biomass ranging
from 408,000-580,000 tones with an annual potential yield of about 250,000 tones, were made.
However, the validity of these acoustic surveys is debatable as the surveys neither covered the
entire fishing zone nor a full year.
2.4 Large Pelagic Fish
Very little is known about large pelagic fish in Pakistan. However, it is estimated that the
potential annual yield could be close to 20,000 tones.
3. INLAND RESOURCES
Pakistan possesses an extensive lake, river and canal system.
3.1 Natural lakes
It covers an area of 109,780 hectares. Some are high-altitude lakes suitable for cold water fish
e.g., Saif-ulMulook in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Satpara in the Northern
Areas and Hanna in Baluchistan. 10
3.2 Warm water lakes
They are mostly located in Sindh, and two such lakes are Manchar and Kalri.
3.3 Small lakes
There are several small lakes also, mostly in the Thatta and Sanghar districts of Sindh. The
Indus and its tributaries are the major freshwater fisheries of the country. The Indus flows from
the Northern Areas through the NWFP and the Punjab, where it is joined by five large rivers
9 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy ,editon 5
,pg no.1-3,1995
10 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy ,editon 5 ,pg
no.1-3,1995
4
— Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlaj — before passing through Sindh and finally
draining into the Arabian Sea. 11
3.4 Dams
Along the course of the Indus are a number of dams and reservoirs which provide water to an
extensive irrigation network in the Punjab and upper Sindh regions, representing one of the
world’s largest canal systems.
3.5 Reservoirs
These running and still waters cover about 4.57 million hectares, while waterlogging covers
about 2.225 million hectares. Of the reservoirs, six — Mangla, Tarbela, Chashma, Hab,
Khanpur and Warsak — cover an area of 80,613 hectares and play an important role in
freshwater fisheries. Besides these, more than a hundred small and minidams (in the b a r a n i
(rain-fed) tract of the country, particularly in the Potwar Plateau) built for the storage of water,
hold an immense potential for aquaculture.
At present only a few of these multiple use water resources are being used to raise fish.
Although aquaculture is a fairly new activity in the country, dug-out ponds for fish farming
have been constructed in the private sector. There are approximately 3,300 fish farms in the
country. The area under pond fishery is estimated at about 5,000 hectares, most of which is
located in the Punjab and Sindh. However, aquaculture is characterized by low production per
unit area, mainly because of low inputs.12
3.6 FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT BOARD
11 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy ,editon 5 ,pg
no.1-3,1995
12 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy ,editon 5
,pg no.1-3,1995
5
Pakistan ranks 28th amongst fishing nations in terms of production and 50th in terms of export
earnings. Since 1998, overall fish production in Pakistan has been decreasing at the rate of 2%
per annum, mainly due to decline in marine capture.13
3.7 Table 1 : Inventory of Pakistan’s Aquatic resources, by Province 14
Area in Hectares
Sindh
Punjab
Baluchistan KPK
Total
Rivers / Streams
160,000
2,940,000
–
2,408
3,102,408
Canals & Drains
321,340
23,700
–
1,763
346,803
Lakes
110,000
6,700
4,047
6,362
127,109
Dams/Reservoirs
97,000
65,800
6,070
26,800
195,670
Waterlogged
Areas
3,000,000
30,000
–
1,600
3,031,600
Deltaic Area
700,000
–
–
–
700,000
Flood Water
Area
1,000,000
–
–
–
1,000,000
Fish Farms
49,170
10,400
100
560
60,230
Marine Waters
(Km)
352 x 12
NM
–
768 x 12
NM
–
1120 x 12
NM
4. LAWS RELATED FISHERY
4.1 Punjab Ordinance 1961,15
In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have
the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say: –
4.2 Definitions
(a) “Director [General] of Fisheries” means the Director [General] of Fisheries, [Punjab] and
includes any person appointed by Government to discharge the functions of the Director
[General] of Fisheries under this Ordinance;
(b) “fish” includes shellfish;
13 http://fdb.org.pk/ ,non profit organization ,2007
14 Ministry of food ,agriculture and livestock government of Pakistan,national policies and strategies
for fisheries and agriculture development in Pakistan,Islamabad,pg no.12,2007.
15 THE PUNJAB FISHERIES ORDINANCE, 1961
6
(c) “fixed engine” means any net, cage, trap, or other contrivance for taking fish, fixed in the
soil or made stationery in any other way;
(d) “Government” means the [Provincial Government of the Punjab];
(e) “license”, “permit”, “special licence” and “special permit” means, respectively, a license,
permit, special licence and special permit, issued under this Ordinance or any rule made
thereunder.
4.3 Explanation
Provincial license shall be issued by the Provincial Fisheries Department.
(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance;
(g) “private water” means water which is the exclusive property of any person, [a water area
which is land locked by his own survey numbers] or in which any person has for the time being
an exclusive right of fishery, whether as owner, lessee or in any other capacity;
Water shall not cease to be “private water” within the meaning of this definition by reason
only that other persons may have by custom a right of fishery therein;
(h) “water” includes the sea within a distance of one marine league of the seacoast.
(I) “Provincial water” means rivers, canals and barrages/pond areas which are not confined
within the district boundary or which receives water from the river canal;
(j) “District Water” means a water except rivers, canals, barrages/ pond areas and all those
waters which have no permanent or seasonal link with rivers etc.
District Fisheries Officer shall be responsible for the conservation and management and
development of district water areas and will be empowered to lease out fishing rights of the
water area exclusively confined within the district boundary.
4.4 Laws 16
16 THE PUNJAB FISHERIES ORDINANCE, 1961
7
Destruction of fish by explosives. – No person shall use any dynamite or other explosive
substance in any water with intent thereby to catch or destroy any of the fish that may be
therein.
Destruction of fish by poisoning water. – No person shall put any poison, lime or noxious
material into any water with intent thereby to catch or destroy any fish that may be therein.
Fish that shall not be taken. – No person shall kill, capture, or possess any species of fish
specified in the schedule.
Net, fixed engine, trap, etc., shall not be employed without a permit or license.– (1) No
person shall use or employ for the capture of any species of fish specified in the First Schedule,
in any water other than private water, any net, cage, trap or other contrivance for taking fish,
or fixed engine, except during the period permitted.
Quality control. – (1) The Government may prescribe standards and quality of fish and
require inspection of fish.
(2) A person shall not sell or commercially transfer a fish unless it conforms to the prescribed
standards and quality
To produce license or permit on demand made by employees of Fisheries Department.–
Every person in possession of any fishing license or permit shall produce his license or permit,
as the case may be, on a demand made by the Inspector of Fisheries or any other person
authorized in this behalf by the Director [General] of Fisheries.
Power to declare any water to be a sanctuary for fish.– (1) Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Ordinance, Government may, by notification, declare any water to be
sanctuary for fish mentioned in the First Schedule for a period which may be specified, and
during such period no person shall kill, capture or possess such fish without a special permit
issued under this Ordinance by the Director [General] of Fisheries.
Power to search without warrant.– An Inspector of Fisheries may, without a warrant from a
Magistrate, search any person, vessel, rack, vehicle, ship, boat, raft, package, receptacle or
covering so as to satisfy himself as to whether or not an offence under this Ordinance has been
committed.
Power of seizure.– An Inspector of Fisheries, or any person authorized in this behalf by the
Director [General] of Fisheries, may take possession of any [fish,] net, trap, cage, or other
8
contrivance for taking fish, or fixed engine used or suspected to have been used in the
commission of an offence under this Ordinance.
Duty of Lambadar’s, Village Watchmen, etc.– Every Lambardar, Village Watchman, Canal
Patwari, Public Works Department Darogha, Zilladar, Revenue Patwari, Tapedar, Supervising
Tapedar and Qanungo shall be bound in the absence of reasonable excuse to give to an
Inspector of Fisheries or any other person authorized in this behalf by the Director [General]
of Fisheries, information in respect of any unauthorized netting, killing or other offence under
this Ordinance committed within the limits of his village or circle, as the case may be, as soon
as the commission of such offence comes to his knowledge.
Powers of Magistrate to issue search warrant.– If a Magistrate has reason to believe that an
offence under this Ordinance has been, is being, or is likely to be committed, he may issue a
warrant for the search of any place in which any fish, net, trap, cage or other contrivance for
taking fish, or fixed engine is kept or concealed.
4.5 According to first schedule
Period during which taking of the fish by any net, cage, trap or fixed engine is prohibited.
1. Trout 9 10th October to 9th March.
2. Mahashair 12 1st June to 31st August.
3. Rahu 12 Ist June to 31st August.
4. Mori 12 Ist June to 31st August.
5. Thaila 12 Ist June to 31st August
6. Calbans 12 1st June to 31st August.
4.6 Some other laws related fisheries17
The Agriculture Produce (Grading and Marketing) Act, 1937, provides authority and
control for the grading and marketing of agricultural produce. Dry fish, shellfish and fishmeal
are graded under the provision of this act.
The Pakistan Animal Quarantine (Import and Export of Animal and Animal Products)
Ordinance, 1979 law provides for control of the import and export of animals and animal
17 Fishery and aquaculture country profile,FIP,CP,PAK ,2009
9
products, and the issue of health certificates to regulate the trade and to prevent the introduction
or spread of diseases.
The Federal Government vide Notification No.F.272/FDC/99 dated 6 April 1999, in
exercise of the power conferred by Section 12 of the Pakistan Animal Quarantine
Ordinance, exempts the export of fish and fishery products from all the provisions. The Sindh
Fisheries Ordinance, 1980, provides rules and regulations for marketing, handling,
transportation, processing and storage of fish and shrimp for commercial purposes and sale of
fish used for domestic and inter-provincial trade in the Province of Sindh. Contravention of
this Ordinance is punishable by imprisonment up to six months or by a fine of PRs 10 000, or
both. A provision has also been included for a total ban on the use of destructive fishing gear,
and for a closed season for shrimp during June and July.
The Balochistan Sea Fisheries Act No. IX, 1971, provides authority for control of fishing
craft, fishing licenses and processing of fish and fishery products in the territorial water of
Pakistan along the coast of Baluchistan. Contravention of any provision of the Ordinance is
punishable by one-month imprisonment or PRs 5 000 fine, or both.
The Karachi Fisheries Harbor Authority Ordinance No.11, 1984, provides the legal basis
to carry out efficient operation of harbor facilities and for periodic inspection of hygienic
conditions of processing plants, ice plants, cold storage and other related activities.
The Coastal Development Authority Act (Sindh, Act No. XXVIII, 1994) provides the legal
basis for planning, development, operation, management and maintenance of coastal areas,
including development of fisheries, livestock, horticulture and agriculture. The Pakistan
Environmental Protection Ordinance No. XXVII, deals with protection, conservation and
improvement of the environment for the prevention and control of pollution, including
biodiversity, ecosystems, effluent, hazardous substance emission and water pollution. It also
provides for rules for implementing international environmental agreements
The Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Act, 1997, deals with the registration of
fish processing plants and fish exporters, and constitutions and functions of the inspection
committee. The function of the committee includes inspection of fish processing plants, fish
exporters, and handling of fish and fishery products. It also defines the powers, duties and
functions of fishery officers, and penalties for contravention by processors and exporters.
10
The Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Rules, 1998, provides a detailed
description of conditions required for registration of processing plants for export, ice factories,
fish handling on board fishing vessels, landing places, and fish processing establishments. It
also makes provisions for the registration of testing laboratories for seafood products, and for
the notification of approved cleaning materials, etc. 18
5. CONCLUSION
Fishery resources are very sensitive to changes in the environment arising from activities such
as river basin development, deforestation, and pollution. But the problems are especially
complex as they all arise from the multiple use of aquatic resources. The reason why these
problems persist is because of the practical difficulties encountered in implementing their
solutions. Implementation is frequently hampered, not only by technical difficulties but by
adverse political and economic forces also. In addition, the fishery sector is considered the least
important. Fishery resource management in multi-use water bodies calls for strong
conservatory measures in conjunction and co-operation with other users and the development
of aquaculture techniques to most profitably augment fish yields. Measures taken to control
other problems such as pollution, deforestation, improvement of the quality of water for
domestic use, and so on, will positively affect fisheries.
18 Fishery and aquaculture country profile,FIP,CP,PAK ,2009
11
BIBLOGRAPHY
Fletcher, WJ; Chesson, J; Fisher, M; Sainsbury KJ; Hundloe, T; Smith, ADM and Whitworth,
B (2002) The "How To" guide for wild capture fisheries. National ESD reporting framework
for Australian fisheries: FRDC Project 2000/145. Page 119–120
2 FAO
3 Madden, CJ and Grossman, DH (2004) A Framework for a Coastal/Marine Ecological
Classification Standard Archived October 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. NatureServe,
page 86. Prepared for NOAA under Contract EA-133C-03-SE-0275
4 P.Patil,D.Kaczan,Revitilizing Pakistan fisheries,Collaborative Partneship
5 Dr Naseem Akhter,Sustainable Fisheries, The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy
,editon 5 ,pg no.1-3,1995.
6 http://fdb.org.pk/ ,non profit organization ,2007
7 Ministry of food ,agriculture and livestock government of Pakistan,national policies and
strategies for fisheries and agriculture development in Pakistan,Islamabad,pg no.12,2007.
8 THE PUNJAB FISHERIES ORDINANCE, 1961
12