KARACHI: Sindh Livestock and Fisheries Department Secretary Sohail Akbar Shah has stressed the need to develop and implement a broad-based fisheries policy, which is mandatory for accelerated development of the fisheries sector in Sindh. Addressing a workshop organised by the World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan, Sindh Fisheries Department with the collaboration of Engro Foundation in connection with World Fisheries Day, the secretary pointed out that the provincial government was taking measures, including establishment of a floating jetty, modern fisher’s village and desalination plants at major landing centres, to modernise the fisheries sector. He added that WWF-Pakistan should continue to work in close collaboration with the Sindh Fisheries Department so that appropriate conservation and management measures could be taken. Sindh Fisheries Department Director General Ghulam Muhammad Mahar gave an overview of the status of fisheries sector in Sindh and suggested measures for its improvement. He stressed the need for promotion of aqua-culture in creek areas of the Indus delta as well as other areas along the coast of Sindh and Balochistan. Dr Babar Khan, regional head (Sindh and Balochistan), WWF-Pakistan, appreciated the efforts of the Sindh Fisheries Department, which in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan and other relevant agencies was working to improve the fisheries sector in the country. He urged stakeholders to promote fish farming in inland waters as well as in the coastal areas so that the fish processing industry might get additional raw material for processing. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, technical adviser (Fisheries) provided details of WWF-Pakistan’s observer programme and its contribution to the conservation of endangered, threatened and protected species. He shared that a large number of turtles, dolphins, sunfish and mobulid rays were safely released by WWF-Pakistan trained fishermen, which was a significant contribution towards conservation of marine biodiversity. Khan also stressed the need to establish additional marine protected areas (MPAs) in Sindh and Balochistan. “Currently, Pakistan only has one MPA – Astola Island. He urged immediate declaration of Miani Hor and Churna Island two potential MPAs by the provincial government of Balochistan and Cape Monze by the government of Sindh in addition to Indus Canyon by the federal government. The government of Sindh pledged to protect marine biodiversity by establishing a network of marine protected areas in Sindh province. The secretary led the signing of the pledge, followed by the director general and officials of key government departments and academia. Muhammad Wasim Khan, director general Marine Fisheries Department, Government of Pakistan, threw light on the depleting fisheries stocks in Pakistan and stressed the need to reduce fleet size as well as an effective ban on shrimp fishing during June and July. He also presented results of surveys conducted by the Marine Fisheries Department. Moreover, Khawar Parvez Awan, Sindh director fisheries (Inland) said that a hatchery for restoration of aquatic biodiversity in Manchar Lake was established by the government and eight other hatcheries wee also operational in other parts of the province. In his closing remarks, Ashiq Ahmad Khan, scientific adviser, EvK2CNR (Pakistan) and former chief technical advisor, WWF-Pakistan, urged government departments, academia, communities and other stakeholders to develop strategic action plans to conserve marine and aquatic resources in Sindh and Balochistan. He also called for nominations of potential areas that could be declared MPAs in the near future. “To meet AICHI Target 10, a network of MPAs should be established in coastal areas of both provinces,” he added. On the occasion, an appreciation award was presented to WWF-Pakistan trained skipper Mohibullah in recognition of his tremendous efforts for recording fisheries catch data and release of endangered, threatened and protected species.