Islamabad: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have announced a joint initiative to enhance marine biodiversity conservation in Pakistan. The project aims to transform marine fisheries through improved biodiversity protection, sustainable fishing practices, and regenerative fisheries management.
According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the initiative is supported by a Global Environment Facility Project Preparation Grant and seeks to strengthen fisheries governance, promote sustainable fishing, engage the private sector, and improve fisheries monitoring and data systems. Pakistan’s marine fisheries are crucial for millions, providing direct employment to approximately 390,000 individuals and indirect employment to over 1.25 million. Yet, challenges such as unsustainable fishing, illegal practices, habitat degradation, and climate change pose significant threats to marine biodiversity and the sector’s sustainability.
Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Khurram Agha, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, emphasized the importance of marine resources to Pakistan’s ecological heritage, food security, and coastal livelihoods. He stated that the initiative aims to bolster coordination, encourage responsible fishing, and support evidence-based fisheries management to protect marine biodiversity while sustaining coastal communities’ livelihoods. Emmah Kamau, Officer In-Charge of FAO Pakistan, highlighted the collaboration with federal and provincial institutions, the private sector, and coastal communities to advance biodiversity conservation and sustain fisheries and livelihoods.
The project focuses on three main areas: strengthening policy, regulation, and financing; supporting the transition to sustainable fisheries practices through private-sector engagement; and enhancing data, monitoring, knowledge management, and decision-making. Stakeholders from government institutions and the private sector provided input during consultations, which will inform the development of the full project document. The initiative aims to align with Pakistan’s biodiversity conservation commitments and promote sustainable, resilient, and inclusive marine fisheries.