Regional Workshop on Underutilized Fish and Marine Genetic Resources (FMGR) and their Amelioration, Country Status Report: Pakistan by Dr. Rehana Kausar, Presented during the Regional Workshop on Underutilized Fish and Marine Genetic Resources and their Amelioration, 10-12 July 2019, Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

1. Country Status Reports for Regional Workshop
on Underutilized Fish and Marine Genetic
Resources (FMGR) and Their Amelioration
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By:
Dr. Rehana Kausar
Senior Scientific Officer/
Deputy Director, PARC,
PAKISTAN

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INTRODUCTION
(General)
 To feed the world in 2050, agricultural output
originating from crops, livestock and fisheries
including aquaculture must increase by over 60
percent (FAO, 2014).
 Animal protein production expected to grow at least
three times by 2050.
 Meats/milk production is expected to be double.
◦ Aquaculture production expected to grow tenfold.

3. Conti….
 Aquaculture is the fastest growing food
producing sector in the world.
 Given the projected population growth, an
additional 40 million tons of aquatic food
needed by 2030 to maintain current per
capita consumption.

4. CURRENT SITUATION IN PAKISTAN
 Aquaculture is relatively considered as novel activity in
Pakistan.

 Emerged fastest developing sector in the past two decades
 Polyculture pond system of 3 indigenous and 3 exotic carps
 The aquaculture system of Pakistan is mainly extensive
and in some areas are semi-intensive.

5. • Having low stocking density and low per unit fish production
(2.5 ton per ha)
• Mainly low value fish species are being cultivated
• There is a ominous need to encourage the culture of
commercially important fish species
• Bringing more species high value and high growth
potential in aquaculture, will boost the fish production in
the country
• The potential candidates are catfish
Continue…

6.  Pakistan is basically agricultural country and
rich with natural water resources.
 Freshwater and marine water are the major
resource for aquaculture.
 There are about 8,563,820km2 area is in the
form of Rivers, Lakes, Ponds and water
lodging areas.
 While there is a great potential of coastal
fisheries with an about 1120 km coast line.
 In further, an open sea area, Exclusive
Economic Zone, of about 350 nautical miles in
the control of Pakistan government.
AQUACULTURE RESOURCES

7. FISH FARMING AREA OF PAKISTAN
(Provincial Distribution)
 The total area covered by fish ponds across all
provinces is about 60 470 ha,
 Sindh having 49 170 ha,
 Punjab 10 500 ha,
 KPK 560 ha
 The other provinces (Balochistan, Azad Jammu
Kashmir [AJK] and Northern Area [Gilgit Biltistan or
GB]) 240 ha (Akhter),
 Total fish farming area of Pakistan is about 120,000
hectare.
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8. HUMAN RESOURCES
• About 13 000 fish farms have so far been
established across Pakistan, the size of these
farms varies considerably.
• No direct data on the number of fish farmers
employed in this sector is available as fish farming
in most parts of the country is carried out as an
integral part of crop farming.
• According to a best estimates, about 50 000 people
are either directly or indirectly employed in the
sector.

9. ITEMS 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2016-17
Marine Fish
Production
(in million
M.Tons)
0.425 0.425 0.430 0.450 0.465 0.467 0.498
Inland Fish
Production
(in million
M.Tons)
0.220 0.225 0.240 0.250 0.260 0.262 0.300
TOTAL
(in million
M.Tons)
0.645 0.650 0.670 0.700 0.725 0.729 0.8000
FISH PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN
Source: Marine Fisheries Department/GoP. 9

10. INTRODUCTION (FMGR)
Hydraulic potential for aquatic
exploitation
- Coastline ≈ 1120 km long
- Exclusive economique zone: 290 000
km2
Fish and Marine Genetic
Resources (FMGR)
Genetic resources
- Material of plants
- Material of animals
- Material of microbial or other origin
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11. Continue…
Fish and Marine Genetic
Resources Include
- All finfish
- Small pelagic fish (sardine)
- Large pelagic fish (tuna , marlins)
- Demersal fish
Some Underutilized FMGR
(Pelagic Species) Are Due
To:
- Unattractive color,
- Flavor,
- Small size,
- Texture,
- High saturated fat content
- Manufacture of fish meal for other
animals
- Fish oil for human nutrition
- Processing and traitment by adding
value to the initial product.
How to Reduce Post-
Harvest Losses?
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12. Importance of FMGR in Economy and Food Security of
the Country
 FMGR In economy:
Contribute to 0.4% of GDP
Generate about 1.800.000 jobs directly and undirectly
During 2017 – 2018: Total fish production was: 482.000 MT
 338.000 MT from marine
waters
 94.000 MT from the inland
waters
 Exported: about 108,262 MT (22%)
 Imported: less than imported
 28% converted for other animals feed
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13. FMGR In Food Security:
Fish consumption in Pakistan is very low:
- In the world: about 18.4 – 20 kg per capita per year
- In Pakistan: about 1.5 – 2 kg per capita per year
In food security,
FMGR provide:
- Availability: Sufficient amount and low-cost
- Accessibility: through job and incomes
- Quality of utilization: for nutrients as essential
amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins
and minerals
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14. Status of FMGR in Pakistan
Approximately 30% of total landings species can be considered as
underutilized, bycatch, unconventional or unexploited
 Unique underutilized FMGR are:
- Small pelagic fish: minced fish, sardine, mackerel
- Diadromous, Sea Spiders, Crabs, Lobsters, Spiny, rock Lobsters, Shads,
Flounders, Halibuts, Soles, Snoeks, Cutlass fishes, Squids, Cuttle fishes,
Octopii
 Germplasm collection, characterization, evaluation, conservation and
documentation :
- Germplasm collection
Tissues and gametes (spermatozoid or ovum
Extraction of DNA or RNA for studies
- Conservation: by cryopreservation (at -20 °C or - 40 °C approximately)
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15. Processing, Value Addition and Product Development
- Processing
Treatment by separation of organ to bone
Stabilization by some substances depending on the
species used and storage at -40 °C
- Value addition and product development
Some compounds can be used to improve texture, flavor, taste, and
stability
Soluble proteins, fat, spices, fat, water Sausage
Products development
glutamic acid, polyphosphate,
gelatin, and glycine
patties, balls, wafers, loaves, burgers,
fish fingers, fish fritters, and pickled
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16. Challenges and opportunities for FMGR
Challenges
- Lack of coordination among institutions, technical services to fish
farmers-
- Insufficient Input Infrastructures and Poor Post-Harvest Facilities
and Handling
- Shortage of national and International research projects related to
production system, Fish nutrition, fish diseases and fish genetics
- Expensive commercially produced seed and lack of quality fish seed
- Limited budget for basic research and development projects
- Insufficient scientific awareness to design aquaculture research
- Aquatic animal health (AAH) surveillance and control are limited
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17. Opportunities
 Great potential for aquatic animals production
 Contribution of food production
 Training and management staff, conservators, researchers, ecologist
and business
 Manufacture of new products
 Export and import of fisheries product
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18. Marketing, Commercialisation and Trade
 Fish and Fish Products are Exported to Over 50 Countries for About
US$350 Million
 Pakistan Exported Approximately 140,000 tons of Fish Products
Fresh Fish Salted Fish Smoked Fish Fish Fillets Fish Fillets
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19. Strategies adopted to harness potential of underutilized
FMGR
 Make investments in education and training for fisheries, develop
supporting diagnostic and research capability
 Improved management of marine resources and value-added production
 Reduce fishing effort to below scientifically-informed thresholds to
maximize yields
 Review of fisheries legislation to inform the legislative and regulatory
changes necessary to ensure sustainability
 Knowledge of the status of the marine environment
 Regenerate mangroves, ensuring water flow for healthy rivers, reducing
water pollution
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20. Major focus areas for underutilized FMGR
 In pharmacological field
Compounds isolated
- Cyanovirin
- Dolastatin
Used as
- Anti-oxydant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibiotics
- Anti-HIV
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-malarial
 In Nutraceutical field
- polysaccharides,
- polyphenols,
- bioactive peptides,
- Carotenoids
- Fucoidan
- Anti-oxydant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-cancer
- Immune system
 In bioremediation
- Living
micro-organisms
- Treatment of hazardous
waste
- Control of pollution
 In Cosmetic - Scytonemin
- Skin protection against
UV irradiation
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21. Infrastructure, Capacity Building and Financial Investment
• Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), National Agricultural Research
Center (NARC)
• National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)
• Operational harbours:
- Karachi Fish Harbour,
- Korangi Fish Harbour,
- Pasni Fish Harbour
- Gwadar Fish Harbour
- Miniport
• Hatcheries units
- 107 in private sector
- 28 in public sector
• Nursery units About 8
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22. FUTURE THRUSTS
• Improvements in post-harvest technology and availability of soil/water
analysis and disease, control laboratories, processing and hygienic fish
landing facilities,
• Research laboratories and other infrastructure development as well as
quality control measures,
• Effective extension services and quality assurance,
• Strict conservation measures and fishing moratoriums with regard to
species and areas/zones and strict vigilance for fishing as per rules,
• Zonation (species wise) and designation of fish reserves and parks
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23. CONCLUSION
• Aquatic animals are an important source for human nutrition
• The diversity of underutilized aquatic animals in recent years draws
attention to extensive research to discover the many virtues of these
animals
• From the genetic materials of these aquatic products, many compounds
have already been isolated and used in many areas of our daily lives
• The rational use of underutilized aquatic animals therefore requires the
establishment of adequate infrastructures and regulatory laws to improve
production.
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