The document summarizes research on the role of fisheries in income generation for poor populations in Sindh, Pakistan. It finds that fisheries provide many opportunities for employment and income across Sindh's coastal belt. Specifically, it notes that the fisheries industry contains over 35 segments and 525 sub-divisions that generate opportunities for income. While fisheries contribute significantly to Pakistan's economy and export earnings, workers face low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of legal protections and government support. The study concludes fisheries can help reduce poverty if workers receive better facilities, environments, and policies to improve their socioeconomic conditions.

1. 3535thth
Pakistan Congress of ZoologyPakistan Congress of Zoology
(International)(International)
March 1-4, 2015, University of
Karachi, Pakistan

2. Role of Fisheries in IncomeRole of Fisheries in Income
Generation in Poor PopulationGeneration in Poor Population
of Sindhof Sindh
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Raheem Ahmed
Prof Jolita Vveinhard
Mr. Nawaz Ahmad
Prof. Dr. Nadeem Ahmed Tamimi
Ms. Sheema Haider

3. Introduction & Background of the
Research
The objective of this research is to examine the
income generation possibilities of poor
population of Sindh, who are engaged in
Fisheries industry. Since in coastal areas of Sindh
the living population is very poor and even lives
below the poverty line. Therefore, the role of
Fisheries’ Industry is many fold in this context
because the role of Fisheries’ are very
imperative and vital in order to generate income
opportunities to the masses of population who
are engaged with this industry.

4. Introduction & Background of the
Research
Our coastal belt is 1050 km long and fishing area
is approximately 300,270 sq km is ready to serve
for job for every one, where Sindh Province is
containing half of it approximately. Therefore,
most of the poor rushed to coastal belt and
inland watercourses. It is very old practice that
human settlements are found across the water
resources. The Pakistani Fisheries is also
accommodating rich and industrial personnel.

5. Introduction & Background of the
Research
The Fisheries industry’s is not required any type
of mandatory registration and investment. There
are 35 segments of this industry and every
segment is having very large opportunities for
poor. It is also observed that this industry is
labor-intensive industry. Poor can increase their
income in many fold by increasing their efforts.
Every segment is having 10-15 portions. Like the
segment of aquarium Fisheries is having 16
portions i.e.

6. Introduction & Background of the
Research
1) Aquarium fish collecting Fishermen,
2) Middlemen,
3) Shor-term Stockers,
4) Long-term stockers,
5) Accessories Retailers,
6) accessories Wholesalers,
7) Accessories Khaipias,
8) Exporters,
9) Importers,

7. Introduction & Background of the
Research
10) Medicine Maker,
11) Food Maker,
12) Glass Seller,
13) Aquarium Making product Seller,
14) Carpenters,
15) Toys Makers,
16) Electricians,
17) Researchers,
18) Accessories Repairers.

8. Introduction & Background of the
Research
All of these 18 portions are for fresh water
aquariums fishes. Similarly, 16 portions are
also present for Marine trade. 35 segments
will definitely contains 525 portions. It is
found that the title of every portion reveals
that it is containing income generation
probabilities for poor of Sindh Province. So, in
this way the Fisheries’ industry not only
providing new job opportunities in this area
but also plays a vital role to reduce the

9. Present Situation Of Fisheries
Fisheries sector of Pakistan represents an
important source of employment, income
and foreign exchange earnings.
It contributes only 0.99% of total nation GDP
and 3.9% of agriculture and total 6% of total
Foreign Exchange.

10. Present Situation of Fisheries
The major source of fish in Pakistan are
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of
Pakistan which extends upto 200 N.M and
8.5 million Hectares of Inland water.
About 26% of total production consumed
locally, the rest in either exported of
resources as fish meal, the supply of fish
per capita is estimated to be 1.8kg/year.

11. Present Situation of Fisheries
Government of Pakistan is taking
keen interest in the development of
fisheries sector.
Enhancement of fish production,
measures in exports earnings as well
as domestic consumption of fish
diversification of fishing efforts,
utilization of the fishermen
communities.

12. Role of Fishery Industry in theRole of Fishery Industry in the
Economy of PakistanEconomy of Pakistan
 Fisheries play an important role in national
economy.
 Provides employment to about 400,000 fishermen
directly and 600,000 people in ancillary industries.
 Total value of Fish Products is PKR 50 billion.
 Contribution to Labour Force is 1%.
 Export Potential US$1.5 billion, actual US$213Mio

13. Role of Fisheries Industry in theRole of Fisheries Industry in the
Economy of PakistanEconomy of Pakistan
 Major source of export earning
Exports of fish and
fishery products
2010-11 2011-12
PKR 25314
million
PKR 28598
million

14. Role of Fisheries Industry in theRole of Fisheries Industry in the
Economy of PakistanEconomy of Pakistan
 Major source of export earning Growth
Exports of fish and
fishery products
2010-11 2011-12
1.9% 1.8%

15. Fish Harbors Of PakistanFish Harbors Of Pakistan
Karachi Fisheries Harbour
Korangi Fish Harbour
Pasni Fish Harbour
Gawadar Fish Harbour

16. Export Of Fisheries ProductsExport Of Fisheries Products
Fish and fishery products are
processed and Exported to over 50
countries.
50% of Fishery Products are exported
to European Union Countries.
20% to USA, & remaining 30% to other
Countries.

17. Export Of Fisheries ProductsExport Of Fisheries Products
 Canada
 USA
 Denmark
 Japan
 Holland
 Norway
 Iceland
 Korea
 Hong Kong
 Taiwan
 Singapore
 Malaysia

18. Number Of Fish WorkersNumber Of Fish Workers
Engaged in Fisheries SectorEngaged in Fisheries Sector
Fisheries sector in Pakistan provides
employment to about 300,000
fishermen directly.
In addition, another 400,000 people
are employed in ancillary industries

19. Major Fisher folkMajor Fisher folk
Settlements/Town in SindhSettlements/Town in Sindh
 Mubarak village
 Mauripur
 Hawks Bay
 Ibrahim Hyderi
 Rehri Village
 Salih Abad
 Bhit Island
 Baba Island
 Shamas Pir.
 Kakka Village
 Kiamari
 Chasma Village
 Lath Basti
 Shah Bandar
 Keti Bunder
 Jaati
 Badin, etc.

21. 500 Ac
2441 Ac
8527 Ac
4000 Ac
4000 Ac
800 Ac
100 Ac
100 Ac
50 Ac
National Highway
Coastal Highway 279 km
Double Road
Metal Road
Pilot Shrimp Farm
Proposed Farming Sites

22. A large number of agriculture
communities have also diverted their
livelihood towards fisheries after the
destruction of Agriculture sector
because of the Indus Delta.
Social Status of FishersSocial Status of Fishers
Men/Women in PakistanMen/Women in Pakistan

23. Social Status of FishersSocial Status of Fishers
Men/Women in PakistanMen/Women in Pakistan
About 10,000 Women Workers are
also associated with the Fisheries
Industry and are employed in 30
Registered Processing Plants in
Pakistan and more than 50 “Warrahs”
( being run by the contractors)

24. Working Men/Women in FisheryWorking Men/Women in Fishery
Industry Of PakistanIndustry Of Pakistan
 23 Plants : Fish Harbor,
West Wharf, Karachi.
 02 Plants : S.I.T.E. Area
Karachi.
 02 Plants : Korangi Industrial Area
 04 Plants : Gwadar & Pasni.

25. Working EnvironmentWorking Environment
Health of employees depends upon
the environment of working place
where they work. If environment of
working place is clean and healthy
then health of employees will also be
good and if the working environment
is unhealthy then the health of
employees will not be good.

26. Working EnvironmentWorking Environment
Women Workers peel/clean the ice
covered shrimps, fish and crabs with
their bare hands. Rubber boots,
gloves or any such provisions are
unheard of in there Processing Plants
or “Warrahs”.
The fear of losing their job makes
them hide their cuts and wounds
from the employer.

27. Other Activities of WomenOther Activities of Women
Workers in Fishery SectorWorkers in Fishery Sector
• Drying of fish
• Cleaning of fish
• Fish meal
plants
• Fish meal
• Powder solid to
poultry form
• Processing of
crabs
• Peeling shrimps
• Grading
• Sorting
• Packing

28. Health Conditions of FisherHealth Conditions of Fisher
Men/WomenMen/Women
Due to un hygienic condition of Warrahs,
the Men/women workers may effected by
following illness/ diseases:
 Malaria
 Gastrointestinal
 Tuberculosis
 Skin Disease (coxcomb)
 Hepatitis-B
 Back Ache

29. Role of Fisher Men/Women in theRole of Fisher Men/Women in the
Development of Fisheries of PakistanDevelopment of Fisheries of Pakistan
In the past the women usually
accompanied the men in their family
on fishing trips.
The fishermen would usually take the
whole family to remote islands,
where all of them would help in
fishing as well as in cleaning and its
drying.

30. Role of Fisher Men/Women in theRole of Fisher Men/Women in the
Development of Fisheries of PakistanDevelopment of Fisheries of Pakistan
The women would sell the fish in the
local and remote markets while the
men continued fishing.
In some cases, when the men leave
for major fishing voyages that last 10
to 20 days, the fisher women would
continue fishing though at a smaller
scale in the shallow waters of coast.

31. Role of Fisher Men/Women in theRole of Fisher Men/Women in the
Development of Fisheries of PakistanDevelopment of Fisheries of Pakistan
 However, with the commercialization of
fisheries, expansion of fishing business into
an industry and the influx of non-
indigenous fishermen everywhere-from the
deltaic creeks to the deep waters from
coast- the women were slowly and
gradually pushed out of fishing activities.
 With the change in fishing practices, from
the family to industrial fishing, role of
women in family fishing has come almost
to an end in Pakistan.

32. Women in Net Making ActivityWomen in Net Making Activity
 When fisher women more or less
retired from active fishing and
focused more on the home, they lost
a steady income.
The main source of income for fisher
women has always been from making
cotton –fishing nets, which gave them
a stable and regular, if modest,
income.

33. Women Workers in FishWomen Workers in Fish
ProcessingProcessing
Women Workers had been and are an
integral part of the work force
working in the Fishery Industry.
These Women Workers carry out all
possible sort of work in their
capacity.

34. Workers in Fish ProcessingWorkers in Fish Processing
 With the commercialization and
industrialization of Fishery Industry it no
longer remains a family-based activity.
The Fisheries became “professionalized”
with only men being recognized as Fishers
and thereby restricting access of Women’s
to the resource.

35. Workers in Fish ProcessingWorkers in Fish Processing
In areas where export agents took
over the catches, Worker lost access
to fish for sale and were turned into
wage Labourers for sorting out and
drying the fish for the exporters.

36. Low WagesLow Wages
The wages of Workers in Fisheries
Industry are the Lowest.
Lowest even what has been allowed
in the:
Minimum Wages Ordinance 1961,
Payment of Wages Act,1936.
West Pakistan Minimum Wages for
unskilled Workers Ordinance 1969.

37. Low WagesLow Wages
One of the examples of poor wages for
Workers is that 12-16 kilograms peeled
shrimp a day fetches them mere Rs. 80 –
100.
But despite all these harsh conditions,
economic compulsions force them to
work to support their families. Their
economic condition has deteriorated and
poverty has become endemic.

38. Responsibility of GovernmentResponsibility of Government
Government is responsible for making
policies, inter-provincial coordination,
planning, research, quality control,
training, exploratory fishing, stock
assessment, fisheries management, fleet
improvement, data collection and export
etc.

39. Responsibility of GovernmentResponsibility of Government
But in the case of Workers in
Fisheries Industry of Pakistan, the
Government has not persuaded any
Policy or Programme to improve the
socio-economic condition of Workers
of Fisheries Industry.

40. ConclusionsConclusions
The results of the study concluded that the
Fisheries’ industry across the coastal belt of
Sindh Province provides many opportunities
of employment generation to the poor
people of the area, besides that Fisheries’
industry also help the government in order
to reduce the poverty level in the coastal
areas of Sindh Province and inland fisheries.
And also provide the better facilities and
working environment in the Fisheries
industry.

41. RecommendationsRecommendations
The only and ever lasting solution to
all the problem of Workers is the
implementation of friendly policies
by our government.
The micro loans, fishing assistance,
Training, better fishing facilities and
fare prices of fisheries products of
Fisher workers.

42. RecommendationsRecommendations
The only and ever lasting solution to
all the problem of Workers is the
implementation of Labour Laws.
With concentrated efforts along with
the proper incentive to the fisheries
industry and fish workers can
increase the share of exports.
Conducive working environment &
Policies and proper infrastructures.

43. RecommendationsRecommendations
 It should be clearly brought into the notice
of all exporters, Warrah Contractor that
violation of Labour Law could be fatal to
their business.
 The hygienic conditions of the Warrahs be
improved.
 Medical facilities be provided in Warrahs
and other Men/women working areas.
 Appropriate wages should be ensured &
given to the workers who are engaged in
private warrahs.

44. THANK YOUTHANK YOU