Title : National action plan for sustainable and resilient fisheries aquaculture system in Pakistan
Abstract:
The fisheries and aquaculture sector in Pakistan contends with a host of governance, and climate challenges while having the potential to make the lives of poor people better: that which could feed into the Blue Economy. Despite having a coastline of over a thousand km, along with many high-altitude lakes and other ecosystems, the fishing and aquaculture sectors of the country contribute just 0.31% to GDP, incur high post-harvest losses and are under regulation as well as lack in private investment in these sectors.
This research aims to provide a robust framework for sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture and fisheries, to be included in the upcoming Pakistan's National Action Plan. This is a policy-driven qualitative report.
It benchmarks international best practices while identifying important ecological, socioeconomic, and governance barriers. According to the findings, there are opportunities to increase inland trout production, tilapia culture, and shrimp farming while also encouraging value addition, international standard compliance, and creative financing. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), integrated agriculture–aquaculture models, mangrove restoration, and seaweed farming are examples of climate-smart interventions that are crucial adaptation tactics.
Both short- and long-term strategies centered on gender inclusion, R&D investment, infrastructure modernization, governance reform, and community-based resource management are outlined in the proposed NAP. If successfully carried out, these actions could turn Pakistan's aquaculture and fisheries into a USD 1 billion emerging industry by the year 2030 - while preserving our environment, strengthening response to climate change and enriching coastal and inland communities. Last but not the least, this research work places fisheries and aquaculture at the centre of Pakistan Blue Economy and mainstreams national development with SDGs.
