NAME OF PROJECT
Fish Farming
1. NATURE OF THE PROJECT:
Public
2. LOCATION OF THE PROJECT:
Multiple locations of Balochistan
3. SIZE:
20 Million PKR.
4. RELEVANT AGENCIES TO THE PROJECT:
Fisheries Department
5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Pakistan is a country with a coastline of about 990 km and 7175 km of rivers network that have
numerous types of fish in its deep-sea and rivers. During 2019-20, total marine and inland fish
production was estimated at 701,726 metric tonnes out of which 474,025 metric tonnes were
from marine waters and the remaining catch from inland waters. Marin fish capture in
Balochistan of 153,1555 metric tons on an annual basis is 34% of Pakistan’s total fisheries
production. About 80% of the total fish catch from the Balochistan coast is exported to the
Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and many other international destinations. Balochistan is
the largest landholding province of the country which contains a 720 km Makran coastal belt
that has eight major landing sites and over 25 fisher settlements and has engaged nearly 40,000
fishermen who earn their livelihoods by working along this coast. nevertheless, the fishing catch
from this coast is 1.2 million tons per annum. In Balochistan the commercial marine fish fauna
consists of 250 demurral fish species, 15 different types of shrimp, 20 large, 15 medium, and 50
small pelagic fish species, 5 lobsters, and 12 cuttlefish/squid/octopus species. As fish are
nutrient products and wildly consumed around the world in verities of food items. The raising
and selling of fish on a commercial basis have proven to be economically successful throughout
the world. Currently, there are only 10 fish processing plants along the coastline, operated by
the private sector that process around 23,000 MT of fish without value addition. Advancements
in the progression of CPEC projects have opened avenues of opportunities for this sector from
job creations to a potential economic boom. Construction of eight (8) fish landing jetties has
been prioritized under CPEC projects with an estimated completion of $150 million.
6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT:
Balochistan’s coastline is very rich in marine resources as its vast creek system of the River Indus
and shallow sub-tidal areas provide ideal conditions for the growth of fisheries resources.
Fishing is an important economic activity along the coast of Balochistan as about 80 % of the
coastal population is engaged in fisheries-related activities. Balochistan has rich fishing grounds
all along the coastline. Major fishing grounds along the coastline are located at Sonmiani,
Ormara, Pasni, Gwader, and Jiwani along the Balochistan coast. Fish farms or fish farming is a
form of aquaculture. The act of fish farming is about raising fish commercially in tanks or
enclosures for human consumption. There are different types of fish farms that utilize different
aquaculture methods. The first method is the cage system which uses cages that are placed in
lakes, ponds, and oceans that contain the fish. This method is also widely referred to as off-
shore cultivation. Fish are kept in cage-like structures and are “artificially fed” and harvested.
The fish farming cage method has made numerous technological advances over the years,
especially with reducing diseases and environmental concerns.
7. FRINGE BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT:
Officials of Fisheries Department is providing comprehensive knowledge and technical know-
how to intending fish farmers about the fish species that can be bred in fish farms,
environmental requirements conducive to their farming and typical meals for each type of fish.
8. MAJOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS:
As per the demand, the commercial fish farming business allows for large supplies of fish.
Catching fish from the wild cannot always fulfill the demand of consumers hence in such cases
commercial fish farming can meet up this demand. You can easily raise the fishes in tanks until
they are ready for selling or marketing and they don’t need the wide capture of wild fish.
Therefore, commercial fish farming helps in preserving natural ecosystems. If compared to the
wild fishes, some of the farm-raised fish species are healthier and more delicious. Fishes are
generally fed a wide variety of nutrient and protein-enriched foods or pellets on commercial fish
farms. So, farm fish become healthier than wild fish. There are indeed various types of fish
species all over the world. So, you can select your desired species for your fish farming business.
9. FDI EXISTING POLICY:
100 % FDI is allowed in the fish farming sector. The government of Pakistan is providing training
to new investors. Concessional rates of customs duty are available on the import of Fish or
Shrimp farming and Seafood processing machinery and equipment.
10. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Fisheries Department Government of Balochistan, Address: saryab road quetta balochistan
pakistan, Quetta Cantonment, Pakistan Phone: (081) 9211587
11. IS FDI ALLOWED THROUGH PRIVATE CHANNELS?
FDI is allowed through private channels.
12. REASONS TO INVEST:
Pakistan has a fish market for shrimps, fish and sea food at the national and international levels.
Fish farmers can produce more fish for food production companies or supply can be increased
for fresh fish consumption in the food service sector.
