Status Paper

On

Seafood Exports From Pakistan: Challenges And Way Forward

Dr. Muhammad Sharif

Social Sciences Division

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council

Islamabad, September, 2013

Table of Contents

Description Page Number

1. Introduction2. Status of Seafood Resources

2.1 Historical development of seafood resources 2.2 The major seafood harbours 2.3 Seafood processing plant

3. Seafood Production in Pakistan 3.1 Aquaculture 3.2 Freshwater farming 3.3 Inland and marine fish production

4. Seafood Prices5. Seafood Exports from Pakistan

5.1 Overall seafood exports 5.2 Seafood exports by products 5.3 Country wise export of seafood from Pakistan

5.3.1 Country wise export of live fish 5.3.2 Country wise export of fish fresh whole 5.3.3 Country wise export of fish frozen whole 5.3.4 Country wise export of fish cured and fish meal 5.3.5 Country wise export of fish, fillets and pieces, fresh, chilled or frozen 5.3.6 Country wise export of crustaceans 5.3.7 Country wise export of mollusks and aquatic invertebrates

6. Challenges 6.1 Declining of seafood resources6.2 Lack of shrimp culture6.3 Inadequate facilities at fish markets6.4 Lack of sustainable fishing policy6.5 Low volume of seafood export and low prices of 6.6 Seafood exported

7 Conclusions8 Way Forward

8.2 8.1 Sustainable conservation of marine resources8.3 8.2 Promotion of shrimp culture8.4 8.3 Enhancing the fish processing for export8.5 8.4 Provision of adequate facilities at fish markets8.6 8.5 Formulation of sustainable fishing policy8.7 8.6 Fetching higher prices for exported seafood

9. References

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Seafood Exports From Pakistan: Challenges And Way Forward

1. Introduction

Fisheries sector grew at 1.8 percent during 2011-12, 24.2 percent less than the target of 956 thousand tonnes (GoP, 2013a). Inland fish production was dismal as compared with marine fish production in the country. Fisheries as a sub-sector of agriculture, is considered as one of the most important economic activity along the coastline of provinces of Sindh and Balochistan (GoP, 2012). During 2012-13, a number of initiative were taken by the federal and provincial fisheries department including strengthening extension services, introduction of new fishing methodologies, development of value added products and up-gradation of socioeconomic of the fisherman community. Pakistan is the one of the leading exporter of fish and its products (seafood) and fish processing plants are gradually increasing to contribute to employment generation (GoP, 2013a). However, fisheries sector is challenged by acute shortage of infrastructure. Since the seafood production resources and responsibilities have been shifted to provinces, it is therefore hoped that socioeconomic condition of fisherman community would improve, for which technical and logistic support to improve production as well as processing (GoP, 2012).

In order to enhance exports of seafood and meet the requirements of European Union and other countries to laboratories of (microbiology and chemical) were got accredited from Pakistan National Accreditation Council by the Marin Fisheries Department (GoP, 2013a). Moreover, technical assistance in respect of modification of fishing boats was rendered to Provincial governments and relevant stakeholders due to which a total number of 887 fishing boats had been modified (GoP, 2013b). Due to efforts of the government and cooperation of fishing community, Pakistan has been able to lift the ban of EU on its export (GoP, 2013a). It will enhance the market opportunities in 2013-14. The priorities for future development in 2013-14 include setting up a biochemical laboratory for achievements of accreditation under ISO/17025 international standards. During 2012-13, about 729 thousand tons fish catch from marine (467) as well as inland (262) sources was realized which is expected to grow in year 2013-14 (GoP, 2013b). The present exercise is related to the assessment of current resources of seafood production, seafood exports, direction of exports and future prospects of seafood exports from Pakistan.

Following this introduction, the status paper on seafood exports is organized into eight sections. The information on the status of seafood resources in the country is given in section two. The information on the seafood production is presented in section three. The information on seafood prices is presented in section four. The information on the seafood exports is given in section five. The section six is devoted to constraints to seafood resource development in the country. Conclusions are given in section seven. Way forward for seafood resource development in Pakistan in section eight completes this status paper.

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2. Status of Seafood Resources

Seafood resources include historical development, major seafood harbours and seafood processing plants in the country. This section is mainly derived from Sabir, (2013) and reproduced here:

2.1 Historical development of seafood resources

Historically, the Indus River is the main source of water for Pakistan, transport, nutrients and deposit of the nutrients fish. The natural lakes, reservoirs, river systems and ponds cover 8 million hectares. The coastline of Pakistan fronts on to the Arabian Sea spreads over 814 km. Pakistan has many marine and inland fishery resources that have potential of about 1 million ton per annum. The commercially important resources include nearly 250 demersal fish species, 50 small pelagic fish species, 15 medium sized pelagic species and 20 large pelagic fish species.

Moreover, there are 15 commercial species of shrimp, 12 of cephalopods and 5 of lobster. The shrimp variety includes the species of Penaeus indicus and Penaeus monodon among 12 others. A survey indicated that commercial species of crustaceans like shrimps and lobsters are over exploited. Crabs, cephalopods and other molluscs are an unconventional resource and have potential in the export market as a substitute for these spices. Demersal fish resources are already being exploited, but have only limited expansion of catch chances in future. However, there may be a possibility of expanding the catch the small pelagic fish resources by venturing further offshore. The variety of pelagic fish, especially Skipjack tuna and its relatives, are available in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Karachi.

Local fishing fleet generally harvests the species of Frigate mackerel, Indian mackerel, Spanish mackerel, barracuda and dolphin fish. Federal Government is responsible for fishery of EEZ of Pakistan. It also makes policies, inter provincial coordination, planning, research, quality control, training, fishing stock assessment, fisheries management, fleet improvement, data collection and export etc.

2.2 The major seafood harbours

These harbours are "Karachi Fisheries Harbour is being operated by the Government of Sindh. It handles about 90pc of fish and seafood catch in Pakistan and 95pc of exports from Pakistan. Karachi Fish Harbour is the biggest and oldest of its kind in Pakistan, being used by all types of fishing boats. Currently more than 4,000 fishing craft are based in it. The harbour caters the needs of about 75 percent of the local fleet. "Korangi Fish Harbour is being managed by Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. "Pasni Fish Harbour being operated by the Government of Balochistan. "Gwadar Fish Harbour being operated by Federal Ministry of Communication.

2.3 Seafood processing plants

The 29 fish processing units have storage capacity of about 10,000 ton, out of these units 25 are locate in Karachi. The Federal Government provides intelligentsia and technical

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assistance to seafood establishments for improving their processing conditions in line with various EU or international standards. Through this process, 11 establishments have already improved their conditions and are approved to export seafood to EU. Another five plants have almost upgraded their conditions and many others are also undertaking changes in their factories to comply with export standards.

Sabir (2013) stated that out of 29 processing units, now 11 seafood exporting companies of Pakistan can export their products to 27 European Union (EU) countries from March, 2012 where previously, the EU had allowed only two seafood exporting companies to start their export of shrimp and fish products.  

Seafood trade of Pakistan with EU stopped in April 2007 and the Union de-listed 11 seafood exporting companies of Pakistan for failing to meet their standards when the country was exporting about $50 million fish and seafood products annually to the EU. Out of the total export of $194 million in 2005-06, export to EU was over 25 percent.   However, it is expected that lifting of ban would result in an increase of seafood exports to around $350 million from current exports of $295 million during the first eight months of 2012-13 (Sabir, 2013). 

3. Seafood Production in Pakistan

Aquaculture, fresh water farming and marine fishing are the components of seafood in the country. The brief description of these components is given in the following sub-sections:

3.1 Aquaculture

Aquaculture consists of pond culture of various carp species, where its production has rapidly increased since 2000, rose from 10 to 15 thousand ton reached over 100,000 ton in 2006-07 (Sabir, 2013). He further stated that in Pakistan, the fish fauna is rich but only seven warm water species and two cold water species are cultivated on a commercial scale. Aquaculture has also received a substantial amount of government investment, and facilities are now in place that can provide base for future expansion, with the exception of trout culture in the northern regions (Sabir, 2013). 

3.2 Freshwater farming

Fresh water carp farming is the major aquaculture activity in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The northern mountains of Pakistan have good potential for trout culture, but production is still very small. According to the estimates, the total area covered by fish ponds is about 60,500 hectare (ha) in Pakistan, 49,170 ha in Sindh, 10,500 ha in Punjab, 560 ha in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and 240 ha in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. More than 12,000 fish farms have been established across the country. The average size of farm ranges form 6 to 9 ha. About 50,000 people are employed in this sector. On a typical carp farm, the ratio of the warm water species is catla 10 to 20pc,  Rohu 30 to 35pc,Mrigal 15 to 20pc, grass carp 15 to 20pc and silver carp 15 to 20 percent (Sabir, 2013).

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3.3 Inland and marine fish production

Sea Foods (Fish and fish products) plays an important role in Pakistan’s economy where its share in GDP is very little but it adds substantially to the national income through export earnings (GoP, 2013a). During 2005-06, the total marine inland production stood at 0.6 million metric tonnes (Zaidi, 2013). During 2007-08, the total marine and inland fish production stood at 0.885 million tonnes which increased to 0.914 and 0.926 million tonnes in 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. Afterwards, the fish production declined to 0.7 million ton in 2010-11 (Table-1). Not only seafood output in the country is low but dwindling to the disastrous level. Therefore, fisheries authorities have to take immediate measures to save marine resources from complete depletion when it is to late and there is no shrimp or fish available to export.

Table-1: Seafood (Fish and Fish Products) Production in Pakistan (000 tonnes) Years In land Fish

ProductionMarine Fish Production

Total Fish Production

2007-08 283 602 8852008-09 274 640 9142009-10 278 648 9262010-11 210 490 7002011-12 260 465 7252012-13(P) 262 467 729

Source: GoP-(2013a), P= provisional

4. Seafood Prices

Exporting high priced fish to the Middle East has made local prices of fish unreachable and unaffordable to a common man an especially shrimp have become a food for the rich. The market price of Ribbon Fish is Rs.250 per kg, Red Snapper Rs.500 per kg, Pomfret Rs.1500 per kg (prices of exportable size), Red Sea Bream Rs.80 per kg, Tongue Sole Rs.300 per kg during 2012-13 (Sabir, 2013).

5. Seafood Exports from Pakistan

Seafood exports from Pakistan include overall seafood exports, exports by products and direction of seafood exports. Brief description of these three components is given in the following subsections.

5.1 Overall seafood exports

The production of seafood in Pakistan is 729 thousand tonnes of which 144.15 thousand tonnes were exported in 2012-13; whereas the rest of them were either consumed locally or perished. Overall export of seafood has witnessed a steady growth. Seafood exports were valued at US$ 217.55 million in 2007-08 which rose to US$ 233.7 million in 2008-09, and to US$ 296.6 million in 2010-11. Export of seafood has increased from 131.62 million tonnes worth US$ 315.5 million in 2011-12 to 144.15 million tonnes worth US$ 329.6 million in 2012-13, showing an increase of 9.5 percent in term of quantity and 4.5

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in term of value (Table-2). Zaidi, (2013) stated that export of fish and fish preparation increased by 2.48 percent during the first eight months of the fiscal year 2012-13 as compared to the last period where overall seafood exports was US$199.949 million during July to February 2012-13 against US$195.119 million during July – February 2011-12. The seafood exports expanded by 12 percent during the first eight months (July to February, 2012-13). About 0.874 million metric tonnes of seafood were exported during the first eight month of 2012-13 as against the export of 0.780 million metric tonnes during the correspondence period of July to February 2011-12.

Table-2: Seafood (Fish and Fish Products) Exports from Pakistan Years Seafood production

(000 tonnes)Quantity Exported (000 Tonnes)

Exported value(Million US$)

2007-08 (Actual) 885 131.23 217.552008-09 (Actual) 914 127.88 233.72009-10 (Actual) 926 108.68 226.92010-11 (Actual) 700 130.79 296.62011-12 (Actual) 725 131.62 315.5

2012-13 (Estimates) 729 144.15 329.6 Source: GoP, (2013a, 2013b and 2013c) and Trade Map (2013).

Seafood export from Pakistan have increased due to weakening of Pakistani Rupee against the US$ and other currencies. Further, no doubts restoration of exports to the EU will boost export but mainly of shrimp, meeting quality standard.

5.2 Seafood exports by products

The information on major seafood products exported from Pakistan is given Table-3. The exported seafood are live fish, fish fresh whole, fish frozen whole, fish fillets and pieces, fresh chilled or frozen, fish, cured or smoked and fish meal, crustaceans, moluscs and aquatic invertebrates, live, fresh, chilled, frozen. The total exports of these fish products were 131, 106, 109, 115 and 116 thousand tonnes in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. The total exports of these eight fish products were US$ 218, US$193, US$231, US$261 and US$ 247 millions in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively (Table-4).

Table-3: Quantity of seafood export by products (000, Tonnes)Seafood product 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12Live fish 0.14 0.24 0.72 1.22 0.45Fish, fresh, whole 11.67 2.02 2.62 4.71 4.45Fish, frozen, whole 86.38 75.09 72.50 81.90 72.49Fish fillets and pieces, fresh chilled or frozen 0.38 5.12 0.38 2.54 7.34Fish, cured or smoked and fish meal 15.97 8.91 12.38 5.39 10.52Crustaceans 16.04 14.19 19.16 18.53 18.17Moluscs 0.65 0.00 0.92 0.82 1.97Aquatic invertebrates, live, fresh, chilled, frozen 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13Total 131.23 105.57 108.68 115.12 115.52

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org7

Table-4: Value of Seafood export by products (US $ Million)Seafood product 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12Live fish 0.27 0.46 1.21 2.10 0.82Fish, fresh, whole 23.66 3.55 5.75 9.86 10.11Fish, frozen, whole 119.66 121.93 138.81 162.73 146.03Fish fillets and pieces, fresh chilled or frozen 0.68 7.96 0.93 5.89 13.52Fish, cured or smoked and fish meal 13.71 12.18 17.86 10.42 10.59Crustaceans 58.50 46.84 64.77 67.74 61.90Moluscs 1.08 0.00 1.71 2.32 3.92Aquatic invertebrates, live, fresh, chilled, frozen 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.34Total 217.55 192.91 231.04 261.05 247.22

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org 5.3. Country Wise Export of Seafood from Pakistan

Country wise export of live fish, fish fresh whole, fish frozen whole, fish fillets and pieces, fresh chilled or frozen, fish, cured or smoked and fish meal, crustaceans, moluscs and aquatic invertebrates, live, fresh, chilled, frozen is discussed in the following sub-sections:

5.3.1 Country wise export of live fish

Country wise export of live fish seafood is given in table-5. The overall export of live fish has decreased from 1.216 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 0.449 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. Hong Kong was the major importer of live fish from Pakistan, followed by China, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and USA.

Table-5: Country wise Exports of Seafood (live fish) from Pakistan Country Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12World 1.216 0.449 2102 819Hong Kong 0.987 0.217 1643 395China 0.016 0.179 28 319Thailand 0.07 0.014 132 29Chinese Taipei 0.074 0.008 141 16USA 0.009 0.006 17 11Other countries 0.06 0.025 141 49

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

5.3.2 Country wise export of fish fresh whole

Country wise export of fish fresh whole seafood is given in table-6. The overall export of fish fresh whole has decreased from 4.711 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 4.449 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. Kuwait was the major importer of fish fresh whole from Pakistan,

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followed by China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Hong Kong, Qatar, USA, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Thailand.

Table-6: Country wise Exports of Seafood (Fish, fresh, whole) from Pakistan

Country Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12

World 4.711 4.449 9858 10107

Kuwait 1.227 2.071 2844 4982

Saudi Arabia 0.694 0.71 1557 1615

UAE 0.631 0.608 1293 1093

Hong Kong 0.439 0.341 1010 892

Qatar 0.004 0.075 9 131

China 1.371 0.067 2411 120

USA 0.04 0.055 109 167

Chinese Taipei 0.004 0.041 10 117

Mauritius 0.004 0.036 10 51

Malaysia 0.033 0.029 62 59

Indonesia 0.003 0.028 9 84

Thailand 0.004 0.027 11 53

Singapore 0.074 0.017 137 42

Canada 0.007 0.014 25 46

Japan 0.008 0.013 24 41

South Africa 0.018 0.013 34 25

Jordan 0.008 0.012 20 24

Other countries 0.142 0.292 283 565

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

5.3.3 Country wise export of fish frozen whole

Country wise export of fish fresh whole seafood is given in table-7. The overall export of fish frozen whole has increased from 81.9 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 146.03 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. Veit Nam, China, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Indonesia and Kuwat are the major importers of fish frozen whole from Pakistan.

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Table-7: Country wise Exports of Seafood (fish, frozen, whole) from Pakistan Country Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12World 81.901 146.028 162729 146028Veit Nam 19.958 53.642 47723 53642China 11.985 19.192 23457 19192Thiland 18.208 17.655 29151 17655Malaysia 6.866 14.536 12657 14536UAE 5.421 8.419 10193 8419Saudi Arabia 4.715 7.925 8742 7925Korea 5.343 6.317 11162 6317Indonesia 3.301 5.471 5813 5471Srilanka 0.169 1.982 300 1982Kuwait 2.042 2.32 4399 2320Hong Kong 0.653 1.201 1307 1201Bangladesh 0.211 1.099 448 1099Japan 0.814 1.33 2745 1330Qatar 0.321 0.829 643 829Chinese Taipei 0.267 0.854 562 854USA 0.298 1.014 841 1014Bahrain 0.153 0.378 320 378Singapore 0.188 0.319 434 319Egypt 0.507 0.325 891 325Afghanistan 0.017 0.149 30 149B. Darussalam 0.044 0.108 78 108Jordan 0.098 0.126 192 126Canada 0.016 0.165 30 165Mauritius 0.003 0.109 8 109Lebanon 0.054 0.088 107 88Fiji 0.043 0.032 91 32Kenya 0.051 0.033 100 33Oman 0.017 0.045 27 45South Africa 0.039 0.022 76 22Other countries 0.099 0.343 202 343

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

5.3.4 Country wise export of fish cured and fish meal

Country wise export of fish cured and fish meal seafood is given in table-8. The overall export of fish cured and fish meal has doubled from 5.39 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 10.52 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. Veit Nam, China, Sri Lanka Indonesia and Japan are the major importers of fish cured and fish meal from Pakistan.

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Table-8: Country wise Exports of Seafood (Fish, cured and Fish meal) from Pakistan Country Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12World 5.39 10.52 10417 10586Veit Nam 1.76 1.83 2773 2165China 1.57 7.00 3402 6484Srilanka 1.49 0.51 3047 617Indonesia 0.21 0.00 385 0Japan 0.11 0.00 264 0Thiland 0.05 0.00 116 5Bangladesh 0.04 0.06 77 120Egypt 0.03 0.73 66 702Hong Kong 0.03 0.16 72 234Saudi Arabia 0.02 0.02 48 25Malaysia 0.02 0.20 46 189Others countries 0.06 0.02 121 45

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

5.3.5 Country wise export of fish, fillets and pieces, fresh, chilled or frozen

Country wise export of fish, fillets and pieces, fresh, chilled or frozen seafood is given in table-9. The overall export of fish, fillets and pieces, fresh, chilled or frozen has increased from 2.54 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 7.34 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. China, Malysia, Korea, Veit Nam, Thailand, Japan and Chinese Taipei are the major importers of fish, fillets and pieces, fresh, chilled or frozen from Pakistan.

Table-9: Country wise Exports of Seafood (Fish, fillets and pieces, fresh, chilled or frozen from Pakistan

Country Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12World 2.54 7.34 5887 13517China 0.80 0.24 1668 470Malaysia 0.49 0.55 1102 871Korea 0.41 3.98 1260 7252Veit Nam 0.32 0.63 619 1012Thiland 0.14 0.95 429 1979Japan 0.08 0.43 230 755Chinese Taipei 0.06 0.19 108 285Saudia Arabia 0.06 0.01 120 24Indonesia 0.02 0.12 58 255Singapore 0.01 0.07 20 163UAE 0.00 0.09 2 254Others countries 0.16 0.08 271 197

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

5.3.6 Country wise export of crustaceans

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Country wise export of crustaceans seafood is given in table-10. The overall export of crustaceans has slightly decreased from 18.53 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 18.17 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. UAE, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Hong Kong, Veit Name, Kuwait, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Bahrin, Lebanon, India and Singapore are the major importers of crustaceans from Pakistan.

Table-10: Country wise Exports of Seafood (Crustaceans) from Pakistan Countries Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12World 18.53 18.17 67738 61900UAE 5.16 2.34 22956 11067China 4.25 6.61 10349 12750Egypt 1.93 1.20 9711 7346Saudia Arabia 1.52 1.46 6556 8001Korea 1.38 1.15 3343 2830Hong Kong 1.12 1.90 2626 4724Veit Nam 0.79 0.80 3509 3857Kuwait 0.49 0.19 1956 740Thiland 0.48 1.37 1428 5490Chinese Taipei 0.29 0.08 753 236Bahrin 0.21 0.31 906 1634Lebnon 0.19 0.11 1029 656India 0.17 0.21 675 976Singapore 0.14 0.07 414 141Qatar 0.12 0.09 483 347Malaysia 0.10 0.12 316 471Japan 0.01 0.05 390 172USA 0.01 0.09 38 197Others countries 0.19 0.04 300 265

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

5.3.7 Country wise export of mollusks and aquatic invertebrates

Country wise export of mollusks and aquatic invertebrate seafood is given in table-11. The overall export of mollusks and aquatic invertebrates has increased from 0.823 thousand tonnes in 2010-11 to 2.095 thousand tonnes in 2011-12. Veit Nam, Malaysia, korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, UAE, Saudi Arabia and China, are the major importers of crustaceans from Pakistan.

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Table-11: Country wise Exports of Seafood (Mollusks and Aquatic invertebrates) from Pakistan

Country Quantity(000 tonnes) Value (000US$)

2010-11 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12World 0.823 2.095 2320 4265Veit Nam 0.707 0.761 2090 1952Malaysia 0.001 0.38 2 515Korea 0.016 0.233 35 378Thailand 0.043 0.216 64 313Hong Kong 0.031 0.206 69 501UAE 0 0.084 0 131Saudia Arabia 0 0.047 0 98China 0.003 0.072 7 179Others countries 0.022 0.096 53 198

Source: Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org

6. Challenges

Declining of seafood resources, lack of shrimp culture, inadequate facilities at fish markets, lack of sustainable fishing policy and low export prices of seafood are major challenges to the fishery production and exports from Pakistan.

6.1 Declining of seafood resources

About 80 percent products landed on the harbors go to fish meal plants. The use of illegal nets is increasing and majority of the fishing boats carry these nets both in Sindh and Balochistan coastline. Over fishing by the vessels and use of illegal nets have drastically reduced raw material catch (Norwegian research vessel) and resultantly fisheries resources are declining in Pakistan. 

6.2 Lack of shrimp culture

Shrimp aquaculture is not existed in the country. Only 10 percent or less farmed fish are being exported from Pakistan. Even existing fish processing units are using 25 percent of their capacity.  Pakistan is perhaps the only coastal country in the world that has no Shrimp Farming. Preservation of Mangroves is also needed to increase the exports and to focus on Aquaculture. 

6.3 Inadequate facilities at fish markets

All markets are under the control of the local administrations and most of the fish markets have inadequate facilities such as lack of cold storage facilities, poor hygienic conditions and inadequate communication links and resultantly fish producers get less price of their produce.

Most of the aquaculture products are consumed locally and fish having more than 3 kg weight fetches less price; because the prices depend freshness of the fish and the supply

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and demand situation in the fish market. Local consumers generally prefer freshwater fish over marine fish because of their familiarity with river and inland farmed fish. There is difference in wholesale and retail prices, where freshwater fish is sold at a higher price than marine fish.

6.4 Lack of sustainable fishing policy

The Arabian Sea Ocean touching Pakistani shores constitutes one of the world's most unique and complex oceanographic regions and is ranked one of the most biologically productive areas which lack a strict implementation of June and July fishing ban and a ban on use of illegal nets.

6.5 Low volume of seafood export and low prices of seafood exported

Fisheries exports of India crossed $3 billion, Bangladesh over $1 billion, Vietnam $5 billion, Thailand $10 billion, Iran and Saudi Arabia have made remarkable progress in shrimp farming. The seafood exports from Pakistan is only US$ 0.329 billion. Seafood exports remained about $250 to $275 million per annum. The average export price was $2per kg, because 90 percent fish were exported unprocessed and in frozen form. Presently, only 2 canning plants and 1 bulk Surimi plant are in operation and majority of processing units on Baluchistan coastal belt are not in operation due to law and order situation.

7. Conclusions

During 2007-08, the total marine and inland fish production stood at 0.885 million tonnes which increased to 0.914 and 0.926 million tonnes in 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. Afterwards, the fish production declined to 0.7 million ton in 2010-11. Not only seafood output in the country is low but dwindling to the disastrous level.

Export of seafood has increased from 131.62 million tonnes worth US$ 315.5 million in 2011-12 to 144.15 million tonnes worth US$ 329.6 million in 2012-13, showing an increase of 9.5 percent in term of quantity and 4.5 in term of value.

Exporting high priced fish to the Middle East has made local prices of fish unreachable and unaffordable to a common man an especially shrimp have become a food for the rich. The market price of Ribbon Fish is Rs.250 per kg, Red Snapper Rs.500 per kg, Pomfret Rs.1500 per kg (prices of exportable size), Red Sea Bream Rs.80 per kg, Tongue Sole Rs.300 per kg during 2012-13.

The exported seafood are live fish, fish fresh whole, fish frozen whole, fish fillets and pieces, fresh chilled or frozen, fish, cured or smoked and fish meal, crustaceans, moluscs and aquatic invertebrates, live, fresh, chilled, frozen. The total exports of these fish products were 131, 106, 109, 115 and 116 thousand tonnes in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. The total exports of these eight fish products were US$ 218, US$193, US$231, US$261 and US$ 247 millions in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively.

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Declining of seafood resources, lack of shrimp culture, inadequate facilities at fish markets, lack of sustainable fishing policy and low export prices of seafood are major challenges to the fishery production and exports from Pakistan.

8. Way Forward

Sustainable conservation of marine resources, promotion of shrimp culture, enhancing the fish processing for export, provision of adequate facilities at fish markets, fetching higher prices for exported seafood and formulation of sustainable fishing policy are way forwards for the sustainable development of seafood resources development in the country. The brief description of proposed strategies are given in the following sub-sections:

8.1 Sustainable conservation of marine resources

Urgent efforts are required by the fisheries authorities to take immediate measures to save marine resources from complete depletion when it is too late and there is no shrimp or fish available to export. Such immediate measures include enforcing writ of the government on the coastal belt, (controlling over fishing by the vessels and use of illegal nets), development of investment friendly land lease policy, government support in infrastructure, development of cluster of farms with government and providing them technical support. Preservation of Mangroves is also needed to increase the exports and to focus on Aquaculture. 

If raw material availability is ensured, even through aquaculture, the processing units will confidently invest in value addition equipments to reinforce their processing. The survival of the fisheries industry depends on the change of the people involved in this industry. The strong political will of the government is also necessary to provide the favorable environment for this sector to grow.

8.2 Promotion of shrimp culture

Pakistan is perhaps the only coastal country in the world that has no Shrimp Farming. Only 10 percent or less farmed fish are being exported from Pakistan. Even existing fish processing units are using 25 percent of their capacity. 

8.3 Enhancing the fish processing for export

There is need to focus on export of processed fish rather than fresh and frozen products which can be achieved through increasing the capacity of 29 fish processing plants in the country. This can be done by ensuring the increase in the raw material fish catch as raw material.

8.4 Provision of adequate facilities at fish markets

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Provision of cold storage facilities, better hygienic conditions and adequate communication facilities at local fish markets can enhance fish producers share in consumer rupees.

8.5 Formulation of Sustainable Fishing Policy

A sustainable fishing policy by the Federal Government is required for a strict implementation of June-July fishing ban and ban on use of illegal nets. Because the federal government is responsible for policy formulation, inter provincial coordination, planning, research, quality control, training, fishing stock assessment, fisheries management, fleet improvement, data collection and export etc. Efforts are also required by the Federal Government for enhancing the inter provincial coordination for conserving the seafood resources.

8.6 Fetching higher prices for exported seafood

Pakistani fish exporters are receiving relatively lower prices of their seafood exported because they exported 90 percent un-processed and frozen form. Therefore, urgent efforts are required for operationalizing the fish processing plants in general and plants at Balochistan at particular because at the moment only two caning plants and one bulk surimi plant is in operation.

9. References

GoP GOP (2013a). Annual Plan, 2013-14, Planning Commission Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

GoP GOP (2013b). Annual Plan, 2012-13, Planning Commission Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

GOP (2012). Annual Plan, 2011-12, Planning Commission Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

GoP (2013c). Pakistan Economic Survey, 2012-13, Government of Pakistan, Finance Division, Economic Adviser’s Wing, Islamabad.

Sabir, (2013). Seafood export may pickup; the financial daily newspaper Wednesday September 25, 2013.

Trade Map (2013), www.trademap.org.

Zaidi I., (2013). Chairman, Seafood Exporters Association of Pakistan, Stated his Arguments in the “Financial Daily” newspaper on September 25, 2013.

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