Why is the coastal belt of Pakistan highly
is the
rich in marine life with
Lite with a vast va
ies ?
vaciety
of species?
Answers
The Indus River dominates the water resources of Pakistan, transporting enormous quantities of nutrients and sediment to the continental shelf. Natural lakes, reservoirs, river systems and ponds cover 8 mil hectares.
Fishery and fishing industry plays a significant part in the national economy of Pakistan. With a coastline of about 814 km, Pakistan has enough fishery resources that remain to be developed. Most of the population of the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan depends on fisheries for livelihood. It is also a major source of export earning.
Fishing industry is managed by the Fisheries Development Commissioner (FDC) under the Ministry Food, Agriculture Livestock (MFAL) of Government of Pakistan. The office of the FDC is responsible for policy, planning and coordination with provincial fisheries departments and other national and international agencies such as Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. The marine subsector is overlooked by Marine Fisheries Department (MFD). The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is engaged in the research of the industry. Some universities in the country are also involved in basic fisheries research.