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EU mission gives another date for inspection of fisheries sector

KARACHI: European Union (EU) mission has given another date to visit Pakistan in January 2010 to inspect the facilities for the processing of seafood export to its members states, Sindh Minister for Fisheries, Zahid Bharghari, said here on Friday.

He pointed out that Pakistan is losing Rs 2 billion annually because of a ban on export of seafood to EU. Minister was speaking at the Karachi Fish Harbour where a large number of fishing boats were on display after having been upgraded to international standards in collaboration with the government of Sindh and the Karachi Fish Harbour authorities.

Previously these boats lacked necessary basic equipment like warning system and alarms, chilling and storage units besides a string of other facilities that are mandatory for fishing boats as per EU guidelines.

Bharghai noted Pakistan has an enormous potential in the fisheries and seafood sector and it can become a lucrative revenue earner if it were developed properly. Citing some achievements, the minister also said that master plan for Karachi Fish Harbour has been approved and implementation would soon begin.

As many as 175 prohibited nets have been confiscated and soon after Eidul Azha another operation against use of such prohibited nets would be launched by Sindh Fisheries. Arthur Bayhan, CEO Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) said that the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority has made good improvement in the harbour, which is appreciated. He said that the CSF has been involved in improving the fishery sector in Pakistan because this industry has a competitive advantage and potential to grow. Pakistan has a fish and seafood industry that includes ancillary industries worth $1.2 billion and more than one million people rely directly or indirectly on this industry. Pakistanis eat less than 2.5kg of fish per year, one of the lowest per capita consumption in the world. The average consumption in the world is around 15kg. He said that CSF Action Plan has made a number of recommendations. These include the re-organisation of the management structure of KFH aimed at resolving the positions of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society and the auctioneers (“moles”) and a proposal to contract out the management via a company structure.

The action plan also recommends the physical rehabilitation of the infrastructure, better water supply, more ice-making, rationalising the number of boats in the harbour, improving the sewerage system and up-grading auction halls. The improvement in the conditions on the fish harbours would see an increase in the annual value of the catch resulting from improved quality and better market prices. It will also help reduce trash fish used for animal feed at loss-making prices. staff report

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