Abstract
Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan area wise and the smallest population wise is gifted with many natural resources. It is not only endowed with mineral resources but also provided with rich marine life by the nature. Out of 1481 km of the coastal belt of Pakistan the share of Balochistan coast comprises of 1129 kms, which is 76.2% of the total coastal belt. The remaining coast of Pakistan falls in Sindh province which is 23.7%. There are about 350 species of fish in the country. The province contributes 16 to 17 percent of the value added towards natural fisheries and its share in the world fisheries exports is only 0.5 percent. Balochistan marine fish production is 128000 metric tons per annum compared to Sindh province, which is 275000 metric tons during the year 2006 which is more than double the production against having a coastal belt of 76.2 percent of the total. This low share does not depict her lack of potential but portray the low priority of the Government to this important sector. Fishermen had facing problem due to rising oil prices and ban imposed by European Union on seafood export to 27 countries of the European Union. Balochistan share of export has declined or stayed stagnant whereas the import of the developed countries has increased by four percent annually. Declining shrimp production has resulted in decline in the value of export. Since all exporters of fish are Karachi based, therefore, the problems of fishing sector is eclipsed in Balochistan. Besides Pakistan export is of low value added biomass mostly consists of frozen fish and shrimp whereas, fresh fish and shrimp accounts for very low percentage of the total value.
Dr. Jahangir Achakzai*. (2010) FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT: POTENTIAL AREA TO COMBAT POVERTY IN COSTAL BELT OF BALOCHISTAN, Balochistan Review, Volume 2, Issue 2.
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