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Thursday March 28, 2024

Seafood exports decline by Rs1.7bln in nine months

KARACHI: Pakistan’s seafood exports have declined by Rs1.7 billion in nine months ended May 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period last year.According to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), In May 2015, Pakistan exported fish and fish preparations of 16,458 tonnes worth Rs3.866 billion against 17,252

By Shahid Shah
June 28, 2015
KARACHI: Pakistan’s seafood exports have declined by Rs1.7 billion in nine months ended May 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period last year.
According to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), In May 2015, Pakistan exported fish and fish preparations of 16,458 tonnes worth Rs3.866 billion against 17,252 tonnes in May 2014 with a value of Rs4.180 billion. Thus, it recorded a decline of 4.60 percent in quantity and 7.51 percent in value.
Faisal Iftikhar, president Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, told The News that fish landing has declined and they are expecting a fall of 20 percent in exports.
“There is around 20 percent decline in exports of human consumable fish,” he said.
During the 11 months, the country recorded seafood exports of 129,999 tonnes worth Rs32.951 billion against 136,452 tonnes worth Rs34.671 billion last year.
A decline in fish catch was also recorded, as illegal fishing through destructive nets continued and eight factories were purchasing the juvenile fish for preparation of poultry.
“These mills were encouraging and supporting fishing through illegal nets,” he said, adding, “They are making low value feed from high value fish.”
Iftikhar said that a meeting of federal and provincial fisheries ministers with Marine Fisheries Department a couple of months ago had recommended a total ban over juvenile fishing, but the Marine Fisheries Department did not take any action against such illegal hunting so far.
Because of a decline in fish landing, around 30 percent factories have become bankrupt. “Factories owe Rs2 billion to the market from where they have purchased the raw material,” he said.
Foreign experts have also highlighted the importance of proper nets and said that the marine resources have been destroyed due to the use of destructive nets for catching juvenile fish resources.
Muhammad Ali Shah, chairman of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a civil society organisation of fishermen, said the mills are purchasing trash meal for poultry feed that had drastic impacts over marine resources.
Shah, who has been protesting for a ban over destructive nets for a couple of decades, said law is there to curb illegal fishing, but it is still not implemented.
The poultry feed factories are purchasing such trash fish from the harbour, as there is no law to restrict them, he said.
“Law is against destructive nets and it should be implemented,” he urged. “Feudal lords of the coastal belt are also providing cover to the illegal hunters.”
He suggested that the poultry meat should be made from soyabean, which could be less expensive than the trash fish and it will also help increase marine resources.