Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government has ensured modification of 2,000 fishing boats to meet the requirement of European Union (EU) and other countries importing seafood from Pakistan.

Pursuant to requirement of EU and other importing countries on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), guidelines have also been prepared and distributed among 137 fish exporters/processors to ensure quality of seafood.

Sources at the Commerce Division, while enumerating the steps taken by the government to enhance export of seafood products on Saturday, said after a period of about six years, the European Union allowed resumption of export of fish and fishery products from Pakistan.

It may be recalled that the fish processing plants were de-listed by EU. However, two fish processing plants have been enlisted while case of enlistment of five more processing plants is in process with EU.

They said that in order to meet the requirement of EU and other importing countries, two laboratories (microbiology and chemical) have been accredited from Pakistan National Accreditation Council.

The appropriate trainings and guidance of fishermen on different aspects have resulted in increase in seafood exports revenues, which reached $324 million during 2015-16. Training of around 2,500 fishermen and fisheries related personnel on different aspects was arranged to bring high quality products that fetch higher price in market. These trainings were aimed at reducing post-harvest losses on board fishing vessels and were imparted on hygiene, deckhand, navigational electronic equipment, HACCP, modern fishing techniques etc.

The sources said a model shrimp farm in Thatta, Sindh has been established by Fisheries Development Board with funding from Export Development Fund (EDF) to enhance supply of raw material for seafood industry in Pakistan. They said in order to enhance seafood exports and curb smuggling of seafood to Afghanistan and other countries from Peshawar, four new development projects are being implemented. These included establishment of regional office and testing laboratory of Marine Fisheries Department at Peshawar, establishment of regional office and testing laboratories of Marine Fisheries Department at Gwadar, upgradation and accreditation of quality control laboratories for environmental contamination and reactivation of hatchery complex for production of fish and shrimp seeds.

Sources said under the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2015-18, matching grant of up to a maximum of Rs 5 million for specified plant and machinery or specified items is provided to improve product design and encourage innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and export sectors of leather, pharmaceutical and fisheries.

The EDF Board also approved Rs 96 million for establishment of Pen Feh farm of sea bass and groupers along the coastal belt of Sindh.