Fish farming development planned

KARACHI: Fisheries Development Board (FDB) has planned development of fish farming, especially for freshwater trout and sea bass production, as the global fish farming market that accounted for $257.94 billion in 2017 is expected to reach $376.49 billion by 2025, a document revealed.

FDB has initiated hiring international consultant services to impart trainings to extension workers from public and private sectors. The consultants will provide services for marine cage farm site selection and development of operational plan, especially for sea bass production.

The consultant will work and impart hands on trainings on all aspects of sea bass and other marine finfish species cage farming, including fish / fish seed transport, health monitoring and disease management, and harvesting aspects.

The consultant will also provide services for shrimp and fish hatchery site selection and provision of shrimp hatchery operation plan for trainings on breeding and larval rearing. Pakistan is endowed with vast aquatic resources, including freshwater, brackish water and marine resources. These resources could be utilised for aquaculture development as long as economically efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Despite its endowment in natural resources, Pakistan ranks 28th among the fishing nations in terms of production and 50th in terms of export earnings. The country’s seafood exports stood at a meager $278.6 million during July-February 2019/20.