Fishing industry of pakistan

Introduction:
-​ Activity of catching fish. The term is used simultaneously to include
catching of other aquatic animals
-​ Coastline of 1046km, pakistan needs to fully develop its fishing
industry
-​ Almost the entire population of coastal areas of sindh and balochistn
depends on fisheries for livelihood
-​ To exploit potentail fishery resources, the government has undertaken
such projects as construction of modern harbor for fishing vessels at
karachi, procurement of diesel powered vessels, establishment of
cold storage, export of frozen shrimp etc

Types of fishing
-​ marine fishing: fish is catched from the open sea
-​ inland fishing: fish is cathed from freshwater intercontinental areas

Subsistence Fishing onn small scale

fishing Fisherman catch fish for their own family
Common in MCR and all intercontinental water bodies
Utillize traditional methods and gadgets such as small
nets, nylon wires, wooden boats
Stay out on water only for limited time
Go 3-5km in the sea only
Surplus is sold
Commercial Large scale fishing
fishing Catch fish to sell in th rdomestic markets or export to
other countries
Common in sindh coastal areas (70%) MCR (30%)
Modern methods and gadgets are used like
gillnetters, large nets, mechanized boats, GPS, sonal
systems, trawl nets, radio
Stay out on sea for months
Boats have refrigeration facilities

Freshwater fish From inland water bodies

Has more bones than saltwater fish
Saltwater fish From the sea or ocean
Value added fish Fully processed fish which will gives higher profit

Types of fish
Marine Land
sharks Mahseer
Shrimps Rohu
Catfish thalla/thela
whales Trout
pomfrot
 Sindh coast Balochistan coast
sharks Herring
Crab Catfish
lobster Croakers
shrimps sharks
Prawns drums

Improvements which can be done in substinence farming methods:

-​ Gill nets or nylon nets can be used
-​ Radios can be used
-​ Chilled storage facilities can be used
-​ Loans for education, training and equipment
 -​ Engines can be installed
-​ GPS can be installed

Uses of Fish
-​ Fish provides low cholesterol white meat.
-​ Fish provide cod liver oil which is used in medicine and good for
children having cough and cold.
-​ Food Source: Consumed widely in coastal and inland regions,
especially during winter.
-​ Economic Contribution: Supports the livelihoods of fishermen and
contributes to exports.
-​ Export Industry: Pakistan exports fish and seafood to China, the
Middle East, and Europe.
-​ Agriculture & Fertilizer: Fish waste is used as organic fertilizer.
-​ Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics: Fish oils and extracts are used in
medicines and skincare.
-​ Livestock Feed: Fish meal is a key ingredient in poultry and livestock
feed.
-​ Recreation & Tourism: Fishing is a popular sport, especially in
northern rivers and lakes.

Importance

-​ Pakistan exports fish to Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, European

countries, America, Canada, Sri Lanka, etc. to earn foreign trade.
-​ It contributes to 6% of Pakistan's GDP.
-​ Food Security: Provides a nutritious source of protein and essential
fatty acids.
-​ Employment: Supports thousands of fishermen, traders, and workers
in the seafood industry.
-​ Sustainable Resource: If managed properly, fish stocks can be
replenished and maintained.
-​ Agriculture Support: Fish waste and byproducts are used in fertilizers
and animal feed.
 -​ Tourism & Recreation: Fishing boosts tourism in northern areas and
coastal regions.

Distribution of Catch

Sindh coast is producing 70% of commercial fish catch​

Most of the catch is along Sindh coastline. It is because of the following
cases:

1. Population/Domestic Market
-​ Large population of Karachi offers a bigger market for fish catch.
-​ Catching fish near the demand source lowers the transport cost of the
fish for fishermen.
-​ Fish is a highly perishable item.
2. Fishing Companies
-​ Most fishing companies operate near Karachi
-​ more developed than other coastal areas of Pakistan.
3. Mangroves
-​ The Indus delta is much larger than the Hub delta in Balochistan.
-​ The Indus delta has a much bigger river, which brings more silt for
mangroves.
-​ Mangrove roots provide protection and breeding ground for fish.
4. Food for the fish
-​ Also the leaves of these trees degenerate to form food for these fish
5. Wider Continental Shelf
-​ Sindh has a much wider continental shelf than Balochistan’s coast.
-​ Shallower coast means more sunlight can penetrate the sea
-​ more plankton (main food for fish) can photosynthesize.
-​ So fish are abundant near Sindh coastline.
6. Kemari
-​ Kemari fish harbour is more developed then fish harbours in the
Balochistan coast.
-​ The Kemari one has more docking space.
-​ It also provides storing, processing and export facilities.
7. Value Added Fish
 -​ When fish is processed, value is added to it.
-​ For example, by removing scales and guts of fish and canning it
-​ it fetches more money than the unprocessed fish.
8. Ice
-​ Ice required for commercial fishing is available at Kemari.
-​ The ice prevents the catch from getting spoiled too quickly.
9. Fish waste
-​ Fish guts and scales that could have been wasted are crushed to
make animal feed due to the presence of fish related industries.
-​ this means that a fisherman earns more for the fish than he would
have earned if he had disposed of the guts.

Development of Makran Coast

1) Completion of Makran coastal highway:

-​ it has allowed for transport of the catch from the less populous
Makran coast
-​ to the Sindh coast where there is a higher demand (Karachi).
-​ allowed the transportation of machinery to makran coast to develop
fishing there like ice factories, etc.
2) ice factories:
-​ More ice factories have been constructed there to promote
commercial fishing
3) fish harbour:
-​ A fish harbour has been constructed at Gwadar and export facilities
have been developed for fish related products.
4) Electricity
-​ Electricity has been brought from Iraq to run ice factories at Gwadar.
-​ Ice along with salt helps in preserving of fish
-​ thus reducing post-harvest losses to fishermen.
-​ For example, a fisherman at the coast catches 10 kg of fish but due
to poor preservation methods, only 8 kg of his catch is seen as fit for
consumption and thus does not receive any money for the 2 kg lost.
5) EU inspections:
 -​ EU inspectors have inspected fish processing facilities along Makran
coast and have found conditions to be improving in terms of hygiene
with sorting tables for crabs and shrimps

Fish Farm (Aqua Culture) Most of the fish farms are located in Sindh
(barren land) followed by Punjab and Northern areas near the source of
water. These fish farms are located in those areas where land cannot be
used for agricultural activities.

Features:

For making fish farms

-​ land should be levelled and flat with

clayey soil.
-​ It is easy to dig and make a pond.
-​ The region is watered by a network of
rivers, canals or tube wells.
-​ A fish farm is mostly divided into four rectangular ponds and muddy
brick roads run between them.
-​ The base of ponds is covered with medium sized stone.
-​ The ponds should be lined with brick works to check the loss of
seepage.
-​ Cow dung and fertilisers are thrown into the ponds and are left to
decompose.
-​ The decomposition of manure produces planktons for the baby fish.
-​ After a few days the ponds are filled with water and lime is added to
make the water clean.
-​ Small fish are thrown into the pond and are left to grow to
-​ The farms are surrounded with trees to provide shade and more
planktons .
-​ Embankments are made from soil dug prior
-​ different ponds contain different types of fish which may otherwise
harm each other, and numerous ponds help in containing disease
-​ When fish reach (1-3kg) they are sold.
Value added fish:

-​ When fish is processed, value is added to it.

-​ For example, by removing scales and guts of fish and canning it
-​ it fetches more money than the unprocessed fish.

1. salted – A preservation method where fish is covered with salt to draw

out moisture and prevent spoilage.
2. Drying Finger Fish – The process of dehydrating small, elongated fish
(often called finger fish) by sun-drying or mechanical drying to extend shelf
life.

3. Extraction of Fish Oil – The process of obtaining oil from fish tissues,
usually from fatty species like sardines and mackerel, through pressing,
cooking, or solvent extraction.

4. Canning – A preservation method where fish is cleaned, cooked, sealed

in airtight containers, and sterilized to extend its shelf life.

5. Gutting– The process of removing the internal organs of a fish to

prepare it for further processing or cooking.

6. Freezing – A preservation technique where fish is rapidly cooled to

sub-zero temperatures to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness.

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/processing-fishpptx/257679533

Problems for fishing industry

1)​ Fund
-​ The main problem facing the fishing sector is the lack of funds
or mismanagement in development,
-​ The longest coast (Makran) is the least developed
-​ where obsolete methods of catching fish are still being used.
2)​ electricity:
-​ Most areas along the Makran coast have no electricity
-​ so it is impossible to build ice factories
3)​ Education:
-​ Low level of education of fishermen
-​ means that only a small number of them can be trained to
operate big fishing boats or work in processing factories
-​ (which would improve fish production).
4)​ Overfishing-MF
-​ After building of Tarbela and Mangla dams, much of the
farming area in the Indus Delta was lost due to the intrusion of
sea water
-​ as there was less river water to push back the sea
-​ These jobless people started fishing in an already overcrowded
environment.

-​ This resulted in decreasing fish stocks.

5)​ Telecommunication
-​ facilities are still poor,
-​ thus there is a common gap between fishermen and buyers
(buying and selling)
 -​ thus some of the catch may not be in the most ideal condition
when it reaches the market and may not sell.
6)​ dams:
-​ These dams also resulted in fewer amounts of fresh water and
silt for mangroves.
-​ Hub dam also has had an effect on mangroves on Makran
coast.
7)​ By catch:
-​ also occurs in commercial fishing.
-​ Fish not required by the operators is accidentally caught but
along with other economic fish, is also killed.
-​ This disturbs the balanced ecosystem.
8)​ Condition:
-​ Much of Pakistan’s fish products like canned fish are banned in
the EU (European Union)
-​ due to unhygienic conditions in which they are processed.
-​ The other low value added products are exported to Sri Lanka.
9)​ Pollution: MF
-​ a. Leakage of Oil: Kemari is the world’s most polluted port due
to leakage of oil during loading and unloading of crude oil. This
is highly dangerous for marine fishing industry.

-​ b. Dumping of toxic industrial waste: in Pakistan, most of the

industries are directly dumping their toxic industrial waste into
the sea and rivers without any treatment. This is harmful for the
marine as well as inland fishing industries.

-​ c. Dumping of sewing into sea and rivers without any treatment.

-​ d. Eutrophication on the surface of rivers and canal due to

mixing of artificial fertilisers with water.

10)​ Mangroves MF
-​ mangroves provide breeding ground for fish but
-​ mangroves are depleting due to lack of fresh water and
deforestation.
Role of government to develop fisheries in pakistan
-​ Development of ice factories and cold storage near coastal areas
-​ Creating awarness about the importannce of mangroves among the
people
-​ Provision of short term and long term loans
-​ Introducing new fishing methods
-​ Development of fish processing industries
-​ Guidance about weather to fisherman

Sustainable fishing
-​ Fishing of endangered speices of fish must be banned to allow stocks
to recover
-​ Nets with certain size of holes to be avoided by catch of smaller fish
-​ Illergal fishing must be stopped as they dodnot conform to rules and
regulations. Like they catch smaller and immature fish to maximize
profits, unfortunately they cant breed so stocks are destroyed.
-​ Quotas must be set for countries in international water

Mineral resources:
Formation of minerals:
-​ 3000 minerals are currently known and 50 are discovered each year
-​ Some are formed from hot magma, which contains the minerals
-​ Magma cools leading to minerals appearing
-​ Most are formed when heat and pressure transform one form of rock
to another
-​ Decomposition of leaves and bones

Renewable Infinite - will finish - limit

source a)​ Solar energy (300days 13-14hrs)
b)​ Hydropower (100K can be produced while
29-30K are needed per day)
c)​ Tidal power: continental shelf
d)​ Geothermal power: available on ground (heat)
e)​ Windmills ( jhanper side, golden gate)

Non renewable Finite

sources a)​ Metallic and non metallic resources
b)​ Fossil fuels ( gas,coal, oil)
Sustainable Can be preserved for future generations
sources
Exploration of To extract minerals from mineral reserves
minerals
Exploitation of When minerals are used an extracted
minerals

Non metallic and mineral resources

Metallic Non metallic

Economically more valuable Economically less valuable except
for power resources
Hard, tough, shiny Softer, rough and dull
Can change shape without Breaks away when shape is changed
breaking
Stretchable and compressible Cannot be stretched or compressed
Good conductors Poor thermal and electrical
conductors
More reactive with water and acid Less reactive with water and acid

Metallic Non metallic

Iron ore Coal
copper Sulphur
Tin Rock salt
Gold Marble
Silver Limestone
Manganese Gypsum
Chromite Barite
Celestite Fluorite

Non metallic
Location uses
Rock salt Salt ranges like khewra, Preservation of food and animal
kalabagh, warcha skin
Sodas -caustic soda, bi-carbonate
Detergents
Tanning industry
Western pharma industries

limestone Khewra, warcha, Cement, paper, paints, glass and

naushero feroze, kohta, bleaching powder
ganjo takar hills

marble Mula ghori, chogai hills Flooring and decoration

and thano balo khan Found in white, gray, yellow,
green, brown

Gypsum Salt ranges. Khewra, Found in gray,white and pink

warcha, chamalong and Manafcature of paris, cement,
spintagi in NB paper, glass, bleaching powder
and chalk

Barite Besides kirthar range, Chemical fertilizer industries

kohala, gunga Inner walls of oil pipelines to
control oil pressure

Metallic minerals
 Location uses

Iron Balochistan Black gold

Large reserves in Furniture
sandek projects near Dam, bridges-construction
chagai machinery/ car parts

gold Chagai hills near Jewellery / medals

recodek Utensils/ gold coins
Circuits of sophitsicated electrical
appliances / rockets

copper Chagai hils of WB Copper sheets/ copper wires

Recodek project circuits of electronical goods
Construction industry
Copper tools

Almunium Koh e miran in Doors

balochistan Windows
automobiles

Chromite Eruptur zone of Used in making stainless steel

balochistan

Types of mining
1)​ Open pit mining:
 -​ Found near the surface
-​ Huge power shovels break rocks on the surface
-​ Extractors scoop up first and second layer of soil
2)​ Adit mining
-​ A method of underground mining where a horizontal tunnel
(adit) is dug to reach the ore body.
-​ Then cutters are used to extract minerals
-​ Then loaded on trolley, railway lines are needed
3)​ Vertical shaft mining
-​ Used if its too underground
-​ Huge vertical passages are dug up
-​ In which pipes and elevators are installed
-​ Through which minerals are extracted
4)​ handpanning
-​ Are separated from river sediments by manual shaking machine
-​ Done for diamonds, gold and silver

Open pit Comparatively safe Noise pollution

mining Cheap to operate Habitat loss
High production rate Damage to envioment
Adit mining Chapter than VCM Risk of life
Less surface damage Weak structure- collapse
Easy ventillation and Can be structurally weak
drainage Limited area only
Vertical shaft Can go deeper Expensive
mining More efficient if Hard to maintain
concentrated Risk of cave ins
Less surface damage
Hand Cheap Labour intensive
panning Not bad to environment Not effective
No machinery slow
Importance of Mineral Resources (Detailed Analysis)

A. Economic Growth & Industrial Development

 ●​ Minerals provide raw materials for key industries such as
construction, energy, and manufacturing.
●​ Cement and steel industries rely on limestone and iron ore, crucial for
Pakistan’s infrastructure projects.
●​ The government earns revenue through taxes and royalties on
mineral extraction.
●​ Pakistan exports minerals like salt, gypsum, and copper, bringing in
foreign currency.
●​ Export potential: Copper and gold reserves (like Reko Diq) can bring
in billions in foreign exchange.

B. Employment & Social Impact

●​ The mining sector directly employs thousands of workers, especially

in rural areas.
●​ Indirect employment is created in transportation, machinery
maintenance, and refining industries.
●​ Development of mining towns boosts local economies but may also
lead to urban displacement.
●​ Mining activities improve transportation and infrastructure in remote
areas.

C. Energy Security & Self-Sufficiency

●​ Thar Coal has the potential to reduce dependence on expensive

imported fossil fuels.
●​ Natural gas reserves (e.g., Sui) reduce reliance on LNG imports,
stabilizing energy costs.
●​ However, environmental concerns (especially coal-based energy)
limit sustainable growth.
●​ Pakistan exports minerals like salt, gypsum, and copper, bringing in
foreign currency.

Challenges in Mineral Extraction (Detailed Analysis)

A. Lack of Modern Technology & Investment

 ●​ Outdated mining techniques lead to inefficiency and high production
costs.
●​ Limited exploration surveys mean many potential reserves remain
untapped.
●​ Foreign direct investment (FDI) is often hindered by bureaucratic red
tape.

B. Government Policies & Management Issues

●​ Weak regulatory framework allows illegal mining, reducing

government revenues.
●​ Poor revenue-sharing agreements (e.g., Reko Diq’s past disputes)
discourage international investors.
●​ Inconsistent government policies slow down the sector’s long-term
development.

C. Environmental & Social Impact

●​ Deforestation & land degradation due to unregulated mining.

●​ Water contamination from chemicals used in mining (e.g., heavy
metals in copper extraction).
●​ Health risks for workers due to poor safety regulations, leading to
frequent accidents.

D. Security Issues in Resource-Rich Areas

●​ Many mining regions (e.g., Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) face

political instability and militancy.
●​ Smuggling of minerals across borders results in losses to Pakistan’s
economy.
●​ Local populations often protest against mining projects due to
displacement and lack of benefits.

Future Prospects (Opportunities & Solutions)

A. Development of Mining Infrastructure

 ●​ Government plans to modernize mining operations by introducing
advanced extraction techniques.
●​ Rail and road networks being improved to connect mining areas with
industrial hubs.
●​ Special Economic Zones (SEZs) planned to boost processing
industries near mining sites.

B. Foreign Investment & Economic Agreements

●​ China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) includes mining

development projects.
●​ Barrick Gold’s deal on Reko Diq (2022) is expected to generate
billions in revenue.
●​ Collaboration with Australia & Saudi Arabia for mineral exploration is
under discussion.

C. Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Mining Practices

●​ Stricter environmental regulations are being considered to reduce

pollution.
●​ Pilot projects for green mining techniques (such as bioleaching) are
being studied.
●​ Focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) to benefit local
communities.
Current Developments in Pakistan’s Mineral Sector
(2024-2025 Updates)
1.​ Reko Diq Project (Balochistan)
-​ Under canadian investors (barrick gold)
-​ largest yet underdevopled in the world

2.​ Saindak Copper-Gold Project Milestone

-​ under Chinese company MCC
-​ contributing significantly to Pakistan’s copper exports.
-​ lease was extended till 2037

3.​ Marble extraction in KPK

-​ The Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC)
-​ introduced modern extraction techniques
-​ to reduce waste and improve production efficiency.

4.​ Coal mining in thar

-​ Largest lignite reserve
-​ CPEC has helped development
-​ Crucial for pakistans energy production

5.​ Iron ore in punjab

-​ Large iron ore deposits discovered, with plans to develop local
steel industries.

6.​ Salt reserves in khewra

-​ Oldest and largest in the world
-​ Exports himalayan pink salt to germany and USA

7.​ Chromite smuggled illegally

8.​ Coal mine explosions

-​ 2023: Over 100 mine workers were killed, and at least 50
sustained serious injuries in coal mine accidents across
PakistanChromite smuggling from KPK
 -​ 2022: Approximately 90 coal miners lost their lives in 60
mine-related accidents by July.
-​ 2010-2018: A total of 53 underground coal mine accidents
resulted in 312 fatalities.

9.​ Reasons for death

-​ Mine Collapses: Accounted for 36% of accidents and 51% of
fatalities between 2010 and 2018.
-​ Gas Explosions: Responsible for 19% of accidents and 17% of
fatalities in the same period.
-​ Mine Blasting: Caused 13% of accidents and 16% of fatalities. ​

+Annual Increase: Pakistan experienced an average annual increase of

108.86% in the rate of fatalities per million tons of coal production,
contrasting with decreases in India (~0.46%) and China (23.81%) during
the same period. ​

+Tuberculosis (TB): Miners are at high risk due to prolonged exposure to

dust and cramped working conditions. Mobile TB screening programs have
been initiated to address this issue. ​

-​