Sindh - The Land of Endless Opportunities

FISHERIESFISHERIES

OverviewAcross the world, the intake of seafood is on the rise because it is not only a rich source of animal protein but also that of minerals and good cholesterol among many other ingredients. In addition, the terrestrial sources of food supply are under strain because of rapid population growth and, as such, there is a need to diversify food sources. Sindh is blessed with a vast array of fisheries resources. It has a coastline of 352 km which contains 71% of Pakistan’s fisheries resources. The coastal waters are well-suited for fisheries production with just the right salinity and temperature characteristics. Indus Delta spread over 40,000 hectares consists of 18 major natural creeks along with a large number of smaller creeks, backwaters, and mudflats all of which are naturally suited for fisheries production. The Indus Delta has the potential to produce 800 million kgs of fish and shrimp in the medium term. Although the contribution of fisheries sector in GDP is a mere 1%, the sector provides direct employment to 400,000 people and indirect employment to another 600,000. Therefore, fisheries sector has assumed great salience in the economy of Sindh in general and Pakistan in particular.

Market AnalysisIn contrast to other countries, the coastal belt of Sindh has over 40 species of fish and shellfish and 15 species of shrimp. However, four shrimp varieties are dominant in the coastal region of Sindh: penaeus indicus (Indian White Shrimp), penaeus merguiensis (Banana Shrimp), penaeus monodon (Tiger Shrimp) and penaeus vannamei (Pacific White Shrimp). Climatic specifications of Sindh’s coastal belt are as follows:

Air Temperature 5 – 41 celsiusWater Temperature 8 – 34 celsiusSalinity 0 – 47 pptHighest tide 3.84 mMean High Tide 3.20 mMean Sea Level 2.06 m

Red Snapper

Milkfish

BlackPomfret

Major marine species of fish found in the costal belt of Sindh are as under:

Grouper

Sea Bass

StripedThreadfin

Red Mullet

Sea Bream

Grey Mullet

BrownStriped

Grouper

Sindh - The Land of Endless Opportunities

P.Merguiensis (Banana Shrimp)

Grunter

White Pomfret

The total annual production of fisheries is merely 0.7 million tons and valued at $300 million. The domestic consumption of fisheries at 1.8 kg per capita in Pakistan is the lowest in the region while in the Far East the per capita supply is 12-13kg. Marine capture fisheries account for about 400,000 m tons and 20% of it is exported. Shrimps constitute 60% of the total fisheries export in the country. The annual growth rate of fisheries in 2010-11 was 1.9%. Total annual export earnings from fisheries are only $200 million though there is an easily achievable potential for $ 1 billion of export earnings. The major export destinations are China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, and Japan. On the other hand, fisheries are one of the main sources of animal protein in the advanced world and, as such, the world market for fisheries is over $95 billions.

A number of initiatives are being taken by various organizations to enhance the quality and quality fisheries production in Sindh. Competitiveness Support Fund, a project of USAID has conducted valuable research into the fisheries sector and has also published Sindh Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategy, 2010-2013. In addition, a demonstration shrimp farm was established at Garho, district Thatta on Ambra Creek in the 1980s with the help of Asian Development Bank. The farm comprises 24 ponds of various sizes. Government of Sindh has also established hatcheries at Hawsbay in Karachi and Chilya in Thatta for supply to seed to entrepreneur. National Institute of Oceanography provides seeds and consultancy services for fish and shrimp farming on charge basis.

Recently, an area of 20,000 acres has been earmarked along the coastal belt of Sindh in Thatta and Badin districts by the Livestock and Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh to grant land on long-term lease to prospective investors in fish and shrimp farming on attractive terms. Following are the identified sites from the earmarked area:

BlueSwimmer

Crab

P.Merguiensis(Banana Shrimp)

Mud Crab

Jellyfish

Red Mullet

Sea Bream

Croaker

YellowbackSea Bream

P. Indicus(Indian

White Shrimp)

P. Monodon(Tiger Shrimp)

Major marine species of fish found in the costal belt of Sindh are as under:

Sindh - The Land of Endless Opportunities

Investment Opportunities Infrastructure DevelopmentEnormous opportunity exists for collaboration on the survey, master planning, and environmental impact assessment of coastal region along with infrastructure development. This collaboration can be done on public-private partnership mode for mutual benefit of all concerned.

MaricultureMariculture is so far non-existent on the costal belt of Sindh though there is significant inland aquaculture production. Mariculture is highly advantageous because it is not hampered by lack of water as in the case of inland aquaculture and the costs are very low as well because of culture activities in natural environment. Mariculture can be practiced in the form of pen culture or cage culture along the coast of Sindh for highly profitable production of marine fish.

District Sub-District/Taluka Village/Deh Area (in acres)

Thatta Ghorabari Gambua 800Thatta Ghorabari Jharyoon 50Thatta Ghorabari Adhano 100Thatta Ghorabari Mahel 425Thatta Jati Oranga 4000Thatta Shah Bundar Allah Dino Wada 500Thatta Shah Bundar Babli 4000Thatta Keti Bundar Naghewari 2441Badin S. Fazil Rahu Girhari, Ahmed Raju

4 & 6 8527

Sindh - The Land of Endless Opportunities

Shrimp FarmingShrimp farming is considered across the world to be highly profitable venture but commercial shrimp farming has not been able to gain foothold in Sindh. Garho Farm at Thatta demonstrated potential for such farming but only for a brief time. However, recently a private entrepreneur has established state-of-the-art shrimp farm by the name of Reliance Aqua Farm. In fact, shrimp farming is the wave of the future and promises great returns on investment.

Hatcheries and Feed MillsEstablishment of further hatcheries and feed mills is part of market infrastructure that can be done on commercial basis. Currently, there is no feed mill for making shrimp feed or fish feed. Feed for fish is being purchased from the Punjab while shrimp feed is being imported from abroad.

Shellfish and Crab FarmingGreat potential exists in the form of untapped niche markets like that of mud crab, blue swimmer crab, jellyfish, other shellfish, and fish oils in Sindh. Such farming is best suited for mariculture activities.

Flake Ice PlantsFlake ice plants are also needed for improving post-harvest management of fisheries resources of Sindh. Fisheries products are highly perishable and delicate and require cold chain and careful handling for preservation of quality. However, ordinary ice is not suitable for the purpose because it punctures the flesh of fish and shrimps. The latest alternative is flake ice which does not stick into flesh of fish and shrimps and maintains quality of seafood. This is a very profitable venue for investment especially near the coastal areas.

Seafood Processing PlantsSeafood processing plants can be built near the coastal belt of Sindh for further value addition as on the pattern of successful Mahi Foods company which processes and exports fisheries products.

Sindh - The Land of Endless Opportunities