February 25, 2005

 

 

Pakistan seafood exports down despite higher international price

 

Pakistan¡¯s seafood exports have dropped by 22 percent during first half of current fiscal despite the international prices have risen by 20 percent during the year.

 

This was due mainly to inherent threats of environmental changes and usage of illegal fishing nets.

 

The latest figures compiled by the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) show that the country exported US$67.58 million seafood during July-December 2004, which was 22.2 percent lesser as compared to US$86.95 million during July-December 2003.

 

The figures reveal that during the first half of current fiscal total 45,579 tonnes of Pakistani seafood made their way to foreign countries, down 11 percent from 56,1463 tonnes exported during July-December 2003.

 

Exporters said the fish landing stood low and expressed fears that the prevalent rate may lead to decline of fish exports on annual basis as well.

 

Since the beginning of the season in August, Pakistan has been experiencing short arrival of seafood, which never breached the required level throughout the season.

 

He said the environmental changes across the world have badly affected marine life and lower exports are faced throughout the world by seafood exporting countries. However, this problem was more acute in Pakistan from over-fishing and use of illegal nets by local fishermen, which remained a permanent threat for exports.

 

The country last year managed to export US$130 million seafood, which mostly comprised shrimp. The European countries stood first among other importers of Pakistani seafood who buy 54 percent of total exports from Pakistan.

 

The exporters, who earlier were expecting to cross US$150 million by the end of current fiscal, now appear to be pessimistic about the target following the latest figures released by the authorities.

 

Mangrove sites in the creeks along the Arabian coast are the sixth largest mangrove forests in the world. The spawning cycle of shrimps takes place during November-December and by June-July they acquire adulthood in the sea but fishermen by using the "forbidden nets" catch the shrimps, before they sail back to the sea or grown fully.

 

Exporters and fishing experts believe shrimps farming can maintain the growth of seafood export from Pakistan and avoid frequent crisis of short supply.

 

Buyers in the US, European and Far Eastern countries prefer aqua-cultured shrimps and other species which is already benefiting to Iran and other countries, who have well-developed aquaculture.

 

Fishermen hope the recent rains across the country may bring new life to marine resources after flow of nutrients starts to enter into the Arabian Sea.

 

As the rainy season has come to an end across Pakistan, flow of nutrients would start making their way into the sea and it may take few months to net better seafood quantity.