Govt eyes $200m from tuna exports

Express Tribune

4 days ago

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Pakistan is poised to gain $200 million from the export of tuna fish in the coming years due to an overhaul of the industry.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has announced that Pakistan's tuna sector is set for a $200 million boost following global quota allocations and regulatory reforms.
For the first time, Pakistan has secured a tuna fishing quota of 25,000 metric tonnes from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), comprising 15,000 tonnes of Yellowfin Tuna and 10,000 tonnes of Skipjack Tuna, according to an official press release. These quotas are aligned with climate-conscious fisheries management principles aimed at protecting marine biodiversity and reducing pressure on ocean ecosystems.
"This is a landmark achievement that promises significant foreign exchange earnings," the minister said. "With international prices for these tuna species ranging between $5 and $7 per kilogram, and potentially higher with value-added processing, the economic potential is enormous."
Calling the development "a turning point for Pakistan's tuna sector," Chaudhry noted that although the country currently catches more than 45,000 metric tonnes of tuna each year, much of this high-value resource has been escaping the formal economy due to unregulated operations.
To capture the full economic value of the resource, the minister highlighted that "a series of reforms have been launched," including the introduction of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, aimed at unifying fragmented regulatory frameworks while promoting environmentally sound and revenue-generating fishing techniques.
"This policy framework supports Pakistan's obligations under international climate and marine conservation agreements," the federal minister stated.
He also announced a major milestone for Pakistan, noting that for the first time in the 28-year history of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), a senior official from Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs has been elected as Chair of its Standing Committee on Administration and Finance, a significant step in strengthening Pakistan's role in global tuna governance.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an intergovernmental body comprising 30-member countries, established under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Its mandate is to manage tuna and related species in the Indian Ocean by promoting sustainable use through scientific research, quota distribution, and regulatory frameworks.
As part of broader adaptation efforts, the minister said destructive fishing methods such as gillnetting and trawling are being phased out, replaced with more selective and environmentally friendly longlining techniques.
"This transition reduces bycatch and supports ocean health in the face of climate-driven stressors such as warming waters and changing migration patterns," he added.
The FAO has backed this initiative by providing 10 longline fishing kits free of charge for demonstration purposes to local fishing communities. This transition is expected to increase product value from an average of $2 to $8 per kilogram, the minister noted.
He stated that further reforms encompassed the revision of certification and testing fees for seafood exports, resulting in a revenue increase from Rs48 million to Rs250 million. Additionally, infrastructure initiatives have been launched, including the revitalisation of Korangi Fisheries Harbour with the construction of a new auction hall and floating jetty, aimed at enhancing tuna landings and boosting exports, particularly to the European Union.
The minister stated that Pakistan's tuna sector now stands at the threshold of a major economic shift. With quotas secured, regulatory reforms underway, and international cooperation growing, the country is poised to become a key player in the global tuna trade, ushering in a new era of sustainable growth and foreign exchange generation for the fisheries sector.