August 22, 2007

EU seafood ban on Pakistan hitting fishermen hard

Pakistan's government is planning investigations on why the EU ban on seafood that has crippled the country's seafood industry has not been lifted.

The country's Daily Times reported Monday (Aug 21) that the six-month ban on Pakistani seafood has put the livelihood of thousands of fishermen into jeopardy.

The EU banned seafood from Pakistan earlier, citing poor handling and sanitary conditions at its harbour.

A special committee is likely to grill concerned officials like the Director General Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) and Commissioner Fisheries Development, on why the ban has not been lifted.

Pakistan exported seafood worth US$188 million during the financial year 2006-07, down by almost four percent against US$196 million in the year 2005-06. The EU accounts for more than a third of seafood exports from the country.

Meanwhile, an action committee has been formed comprising members of Pakistan Seafood Industries Association (PSIA) and representatives of the fishermen community to press the government to move quickly to lift the ban.

Seafood exporters said that huge landing of fish and shrimp catch is taking place at the harbour as August is the peak season. However the price of shrimp has seen a major decline because EU, the largest market for shrimp export from Pakistan, was closed.

Exporters are buying the catch at lower prices and storing it in their cold storages to await a lifting of the ban. However, these low prices offered are hitting the fishermen hard as they have to continue footing bills for diesel and other costs.