22nd Session - The Scientific Committee of Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi inaugurated the 22nd session of the Scientific Committee of Indian Ocean Tuna Commission today. He said that the biggest challenge for us is to integrate the work of the Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs with the Fisheries Department of Sindh Government in order to boost the industry of Fisheries and preserve the species of tuna fish as well as tuna fish like species.
While appreciating Dr. Safia Mushtaq, who is the Fisheries Development Commissioner at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, The Minister said that we had no FDC Fisheries Development Commissioner for the last ten years which shows our non-serious attitude towards the marine industry in the past.
He highlighted the lack of human resources in the fields of the deep sea and coastal management as a major challenge.
"Pakistan is a committed member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IOTC regime for the preservation and management of Tuna Fish and tuna-like species. Globally, the industry of fisheries has been beneficial for the overall economy of the states. But our human resource incapacity in tandem with lack of understanding on maritime issues has left us behind in the marine industry", he added.
While referring to the Holy Quran's repeated scripts on the benefits of the marine industry and blue economy, the Minister said that we have polluted our ocean and destroyed not only our coastal belt but also marine life.
The Indian Ocean has sixteen species of Tuna Fish including Tuna like species. Pakistan has been a member of IOTC since 1995 and for the very first time, this conference was held in Pakistan. The four-day international conference was attended by a number of international delegates, including Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Srilanka, Thailand, India, European Union, Iran, Maldives, France, Tanzania, etc. The Minister welcomed all the participants.
Federal Secretary for Maritime Affairs Mr. Rizwan Ahmad addressed the 22nd session of the Scientific Committee of Indian Ocean Tuna Commission on 6th December 2019. He said that there were several challenges for us to get the fisheries sector back on track in order to boost the industry of Fisheries and preserve the species of tuna fish as well as tuna fish like species.
He pointed out that the fisheries sector required special attention and the Government had set priorities for the betterment of Fisheries sector including a reduction in post-harvest losses, increase in the fish exports, combat with illegal fishing, ensure traceability factor for fish export products and capacity building in Private and public sector.
He expressed his gratitude and sincere thanks to WWF, Pakistan, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Karachi Port Trust and Bin Qasim Port for taking the lead in assisting Government of Pakistan in organizing the conference
Pakistan being a member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission IOTC was committed to the preservation and management of Tuna Fish and tuna-like species. Globally, the industry of fisheries had been beneficial for the overall economy of the states. he added
Secretary. Maritime Affairs appreciated the generous offer of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission for providing Pakistan a chance to hold these all-important meetings at Karachi, Pakistan.
Pakistan has been a member of IOTC since 1995 and for the very first time, the conference was held in Pakistan. The four-day international conference was attended by a number of international delegates, including Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Srilanka, Thailand, India, European Union, Iran, Maldives, France, Tanzania, etc