ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has secured a quota of 25,000 metric tonnes from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), including 15,000 tonnes of yellowfin tuna and 10,000 tonnes of skipjack, a landmark achievement expected to generate approximately $200 million in exports, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on World Tuna Day, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
The minister noted that tuna plays a vital role in global food security, livelihoods and economic stability, calling for collective action by governments, industries and consumers. World Tuna Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2016, underscores the global need to combat overfishing and safeguard tuna stocks.
Chaudhry said Pakistan has taken significant strides in aligning its fisheries sector with international conservation standards. Despite annual catches exceeding 45,000 tonnes, a large portion had remained outside the formal economy due to unregulated practices. The government is addressing this through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.
Highlighting Pakistan’s growing role in global fisheries governance, the minister said a senior official from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has been elected chair of the IOTC’s Standing Committee on Administration and Finance, marking a significant milestone in the country’s 28?year engagement with international tuna management. Pakistan is gradually phasing out harmful fishing methods such as gillnetting and trawling, replacing them with selective longlining techniques to reduce bycatch and protect marine ecosystems. With support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, local fishers are being equipped with modern tools to improve catch quality and value.
Reforms in the export sector have significantly increased certification revenues, while infrastructure upgrades at fisheries harbours, including Korangi, will further enhance Pakistan’s export capacity, particularly to European markets. “Pakistan’s tuna sector is at a critical juncture, with sustainable quotas, policy reforms and strong international partnerships paving the way for long?term economic growth, environmental protection and increased foreign exchange earnings,” the minister concluded.
