Call for steps to uplift fisheries' industry

KARACHI - Balochistan Provincial Minister for Fisheries Hamal Kalmati has stressed the need for development of the fisheries’ industry through introducing scientific management system in this field in order to reduce unemployment and speed up the pace of economic progress in the country.            
He was addressing a seminar titled “Potential and Prospect of Fisheries Development in Sindh in National Perspective� held here on Thursday at KIBGE Auditorium Karachi University. The Sindh Fisheries Department, Fisheries Development Board Pakistan and Karachi University have jointly organised the seminar to highlight the related issues and gain the attention of authorities concerned.
Kalmati said, “We should take advantage from experiences of the regional countries, including Iran, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Through the help of public-private partnership and positive policies, the government is focusing largely to promote the said industry, having the costal area of 1,400 mile in the Arabian Sea�.
KU Vice chancellor Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, in his presidential speech, appreciated the efforts of the organisers of the seminar and said the fisheries-related departments of the KU could play vital role in the formation of a state-of-the-art research institute.
He stressed the need for giving more importance to research activities with a view to revolutionise the industry.
Later, a certificate distribution ceremony among the participants of the 15-day advanced training course on Shrimp Hatchery Management, which was organised by Fisheries Development Board and Sindh Fisheries Department and it was concluded on 23rd July 2008. In the training course two persons from Sindh and Balochistan. Among other dignitaries were Dr Nasim Akhtar, Chief Executive Fisheries Development Board (FDB), Secretary Livestock and Fisheries, Secretary Coastal Development and Fisheries Balochistan, Director General Marine Fisheries Department, DG and Directors of Sindh Fisheries Department and other stakeholders including fisheries officials, private shrimp farmers, fishermen and general public. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui welcomed the guests.
Rohail Baloch, Secretary Coastal Development and Fisheries, shared his views for Fisheries Development in Balochistan while Hani Hayder Baig, director Fisheries Training and Research Institute, gave a presentation.
Dr Nasim Akhtar said the Fisheries Development Board will establish 11 model fish/shrimp farms and 9 hatcheries at different reservoirs besides setting up 6 state-of-the-art fish markets.
Later, the speakers at the seminar discussed various aspects of fisheries and aquaculture development in Sindh in the national perspective.