While the world is contemplating strategies to mitigate economic losses caused due to COVID 19 pandemics, the focus is more on indigenous opportunities available within any country. For rehabilitation of local economies, small-scale fishing provides coastal communities an enormous potential to support food security, nutrition, livelihood and the national economy in the coming years. Small-scale fisheries have secured a priority position in the Blue Economy dialogue and guidelines on developing sustainable modals to gain more financial dividends are easily available. Keeping this in view, a review of small-scale fisheries of Balochistan is covered in the ensuing paragraphs, in the hope that it will be considered as a potential Blue Economy sector for future economic planning.
Fishing is traditionally been an important economic activity along the coast of Balochistan; commonly known as Makran coast. Covering about 634 Kilometres, it represents 63% of the total coastline of Pakistan. The Balochistan fisheries contribute only about 27 percent in national fish catch. It is estimated that about 70% of the labour force of the coastal districts is engaged in the fishing or the fishery related businesses. There are 8 major fishing centers along the Balochistan coast which includes Gaddani, Dam (Sonmiani), Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Surbander, Pishukan and Jiwani. In addition to it, roughly 30 small fishing settlements along the coast are also contributing into the national economy.
Along the Makran Coast, operationalistaion of Gawadr Port have opened avenues for likely export of processed fish from the area, thus developing seafood processing plants near Gwadar, Jiwani and Pasni will ensure good returns. Aligned with the principles of blue growth, lucrative investment opportunities are available for middle level investor in fisheries value addition services like tin /can manufacturing, packaging material, ice factories etc. In addition, the Government of Balochistan also calls for investment for construction of fish harbours/jetties, fiber glass boat building yards, fishing net manufacturing units and establishment of boat repairing workshops.
Although the traditional fisheries along the Makran coast is predominantly based on wild catch, but trending fish culture practices can bring in more profits to small scale fishers and contribute to go blue economic drive’. According of official sources of Government of Balochistan a vast area of land is available for establishing fish farms on lease. It is envisaged that growing population and tourism in the province will also bring in investment opportunities for shrimp farming to meet the demand for local consumption. In fact, natural habitat at Pishukan, Gunz, Kalmat, and Jiwani bays on coast of Balochistan are considered most suitable for mariculture due to rich biodiversity. Some of these areas are being considered to designate as MPAs, but according to some experts, an integrated management approach towards these areas considering socio-economic, ecological as well as governance traits will be more advantageous in all aspects.
To deal with these issues, the provincial fisheries department of Balochistan has been mandated for management of fisheries in maritime zones of Makran coast. In addition to their congenital tasks like improve conditions of fish harbours, carry out trainings and awareness programmes for the fishermen, promote fish/shrimp aquaculture under land lease policy, undertake lab /field research, stock assessment surveys at various marine districts, monitor fish ban and developing artificial reefs and lending sites along Balochistan coast, the department also has been mandated goals beyond their institutional capacity.
These include surveillance at sea, establish special fisheries courts, magistrates to deal with fishing related offences, establish Tsunami and cyclone warning and prevention centers in coastal Villages, establish marine protected areas, environmental conservation and mitigation for pollution, deal will IUU fishing in offshore waters and perform Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. In fact they also look after the fish export from Gwadar export zone.
It is pertinent to highlight that the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), having patronage of international bodies like IMO and IHO, is the prime national organisation mandated and suitably equipped to perform SAR and monitor all kind of illegal activities at sea. In fact, in pursuit for larger engagement with Balochi fishermen, PMSA also extends necessary help/guidance for uplifting of fishers and adoption of modern fishing techniques. However, the retrieval of fishery powers from PMSA by the Government of Balochistan will defiantly cause challenges in effective management of fisheries as well as related maritime issues in territorial sea of Balochistan.
It need not be emphasised that the Fisheries Department, Gov. of Balochistan lacks scope as well as capacity in terms of material, technological, financial, workforce to perform task beyond their innate character.
2020 Daily Times