The Fishing Industry in Pakistan By the end of this chapter, we should be able to: describe the fishing methods used in both marine and inland waters, including fish farms give examples of the fish caught in both marine and inland waters, and of the fish reared on fish farms give examples of the fishing ports on both the Balochistan and Sindh coasts describe the uses of the fish caught explain improvements in fishing methods and processing techniques understand the problems facing the fishing industry and evaluate the possibilities for its further development and sustainability. HOW CAN SUBSISTENCE FISHING METHODS BE IMPROVED? Subsistence fishing occurs only in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan. The main methods of subsistence fishing are: o o o o o Fishermen use small wooden sailboats Traditional, handmade nets are used Angling or ‘rod and line’ method is used No part of the process is mechanized Fish are stored in baskets of ice before consumption However, these methods can be improved to make fishing commercial through the provision and use of o Mechanized boats with engines which can go further off shore and stay at sea for several days, therefore catching more fish, e.g. trawlers o Mechanized equipment such as winches o Nylon nets, which are stronger than traditional nets, as well as gill nets and trawl nets o Boats that have the capacity and technology for NOTE: chilled storage so that large amounts of catch can Many of these methods be adequately stored before sale can also be used to o Radios and satellite navigation improve marine fishing o Sonar to locate fish more easily methods in general, not just subsistence fishing o Weather forecasting o Education and training for fishermen o Loans for investment CHALLENGES TO THE MARINE FISHING INDUSTRY There are many challenges to the development of the marine fishing industry other than outdated fishing methods, particularly in Balochistan with its poor infrastructure, lacking roads/ railways for transport of catch. Added to this are power shortages and scarcity of clean, fresh water which adversely affect fish processing. Moreover, poor telecommunication creates obstacles for successful marketing. Rampant illiteracy and lack of proper training with regards to fishing add further problems as skilled labour for the development of fishing is scarce. In order to improve the industry, such issues need to be addressed. FOOD FOR THOUGHT! MARINE VS. INLAND FISHING – WHY IS IT THAT INLAND FISHERIES PROVIDE MORE EMPLOYMENT DESPITE SMALLER PROPORTION OF CATCH? o More people live near rivers and lakes inland than do on the coast o There are more jobs associated with inland fisheries, for example, people are required for the maintenance of ponds, for feeding and taking care of fish in fish farms and for harvesting fish once its mature. People also work in hatcheries and other related jobs. o The government has encouraged and provided loans for investment in fishing which has led to the growth of fish farms across Pakistan WHAT HAPPENS TO FISH ONCE IT IS CAUGHT? Once fish is caught, it naturally needs to be stored and processed properly till the time of sale. If the fish is not properly stored or processed, it will start to go bad and all the fishermen’s efforts will have gone to waste! Thus, fish must be frozen or refrigerated to prevent that from happening. Other methods include gutting, filleting, drying, salting and canning of fish. Processing of fish is also important because it adds value to the fish i.e. fish can be sold for a greater price, earning more profit. As a result, processed fish, such as canned or frozen fish is called ‘value-added’ product. SHOULD FISH PROCESSING INDUSTRIES BE DEVELOPED ALONG THE MAKRAN COAST? Currently, most of the fish processing occurs in Karachi. However, many ports in Balochistan have the potential for development. In fact, this development is already slowly taking place. As a result, it is important for us to stop and think about the possible benefits and drawbacks of such development. ADVANTAGES Increase the quantity of valueadded products like canned fish, leading to more profits stimulate development of port facilities other than processing as well and help further the fishing industry Infrastructure development in Balochistan e.g. roads and telecommunication Developing Gwadar will reduce transport costs as catch from the Makran coast will not have to be transported to Karachi for processing; this will also ensure that there are less delays and catch is fresh Increased contact and trade e.g. with the Middle East may lead to foreign investment in the region Increase in employment, income, housing in Balochistan leading to overall betterment of living standards for Baloch men and women DISADVANTAGES Lack of infrastructure will increase cost of developing processing facilities Smaller population means smaller markets for fish within Balochistan as opposed to major population centres like Karachi. The fish will thus be a long way from major markets Unskilled population means scarcity of qualified people to work in the processing facilities Lack of interest from investors drastically increases the cost of development Water pollution near Makran coast due to processing May lead to an increase in urban population which has many adverse effects on the environment (e.g. increased air, water and land pollution) Because of the poor quality of Pakistan’s canned fish (due to unhygienic conditions in factories, lack of strict law enforcement etc.), it is banned in many countries. Thus spending money to develop more processing industries may not lead to a similar increase in profits WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE FISHING INDUSTRY? The fishing industry is extremely important for Pakistan. Fish are a source of nutritious, low cholesterol white meat. They are rich in proteins and vitamins A and D. Additionally, they provide employment and are a source of income for hundreds of thousands of people across Pakistan. Additionally, export of fish and shrimps to Japan, U.S.A, U.K., France and the Middle East allows Pakistan to earn foreign exchange. Finally, even fish waste can be used for other industries, e.g. fish bones can be used to make fertilizers. FISH FARMS – INLAND FISHING TYPES OF FISH FARMS There are various types of fish farms built according to the budget of the farmer: 1. Extensive Fish Farms Depth: 2 – 3 feet 2. Semi-Intensive Fish Farms (Most widely used) Depth: 5 – 6 feet Fish: 1200 per acre 3. Intensive Fish Farms Depth: 9 – 10 feet Fish: 2400 per acre 4. Super-Intensive Fish Farms (requires mechanical aerators) Depth: 13 – 14 feet Fish: 4800 per acre TYPES OF FISH 1. Carps (Rahu) – 9 months, temperature range 20 to 35 degrees 2. Thalia – 4 months, temperature range 20 to 35 degrees 3. Trout – two years, temperature range below 20 degrees FARM PRODUCTION - AQUACULTURE Following parameters are considered while determining the suitability of the site for fish culture. i. Site Selection Special consideration should be given to the location. It should be located in an area that is not subject to frequent flooding and should have enough elevation, so that farm can be drained out in case of any emergency, should have suitable texture, enough water supply, availability of required inputs, have market road access even during the rainy season. ii. Soil sampling To determine suitability of the site for fish culture, soil samples should be taken from the proposed site. They should be from surface and from slightly below the depth that will represent bottom of the pond, i.e. if three feet of soil was anticipated to be excavated, the soil samples should be taken from between three and four feet depth. A soil sample is taken by drilling a soil auger into the desired depth. The soil in the head of the auger is then placed in a plastic bag and taken to the departmental laboratory for analysis. The bag should be labeled with the farm name, the location and the depth at which the soil sample was taken. iii. Water Quality In most areas of the Punjab province water source is either from a tubewell or irrigation canal. The quality of the tubewell water should be analyzed. For this purpose a sample should be taken preferably in a sealed bottle and sent to the Department of Fisheries Laboratory for the testing of total alkalinity, hardness, pH, nitrogen, total dissolved solids alongwith other required parameters. iv. Farm Designing A production pond/grow-out pond should be one acre to 2.5 acre area with the length – breadth ratio of 2:1 whereas the size of nursery pond should be at least ½ acre and nursery area should be 1/8th of the total production area of fish farming project. Each production and nursery pond should have an independent inflow as well as outflow water structures to regulate the water level in the pond. v. Manuring / Fertilization In a new pond bottom should be manured prior to water filling with 5,000 to 6,000 Kgs organic manure per acre. Cowdung or poultry waste is the most desirable manure. Similar quantity is required to be added periodically in subsequent stages to maintain productivity of the pond throughout the growth period i.e. from March to October. In addition, fertilizers are also applied during the growth period on fortnightly basis to maintain the productivity of the farm. Different fertilizers require different application procedures. Manures should be evenly spread in the pond whereas fertilizers should be dissolved in the water and then spread on the surface of pond water in a uniform way. 103 vi. Stocking Densities Criteria for the stocking of a fish farm - Stocking be managed according to the carrying capacity. - Stocking be executed according to the required ultimate weight of individual fish (at the time of harvest) and the optimum space/room required/kg fish. - Stocking of fish seed be arranged taking into consideration its potential growth rate under different aquaculture management systems. Recommended Species with Percentage of stocking Name of the Fish Species Relative Ratio Indigenous Thaila (Catla catla) 10-20 % Rohu (Labeo rohita) 30-35 % Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) 10-15 % Exotic Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) 15-20 % Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) 15-20 % MARKET EMPLOYMENT ARTICLES: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/362151-pakistan-fish-exports-up-27-94pc-netting-451026-million-in-fy18 https://www.dawn.com/news/1142433