Fish export to EU likely to resume in July

[LahoreEstate]

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
By our correspondent

HYDERABAD: Sindh Fisheries Minister Zahid Ali Bhurgri has said that fish export to European countries, which is banned, would start by July this year for which a delegation from the European Union will visit Pakistan soon.

He stated this while briefing the first sitting of Sindh Information Department (SID) Media Forum established at the Regional Directorate of Information Hyderabad, here on Monday. The forum is aimed at getting the point of view of the government functionaries, VVIPs and other personalities on socio-economic development and achievements.

Briefing journalists after inaugurating the forum, the fisheries minister said the European Union had prohibited import of fish from Pakistan because of unhygienic conditions. He said the government considering fisheries as a big economic sector, had introduced some reforms in fish harbour and facilitated fishermen in increasing and improving fish production. He said all the reservations raised by the European Union have been addressed by providing fibre boats, crates, ice box and ice plant machines to the fishermen of the Karachi harbour.

In addition to that, he said a water ambulance has also been provided to the fishermen and a watch tower has been installed to warn the fishermen about sea cyclones. As a result, he said, not only fish production has been increased up to 31 per cent but quality of production has also improved up to international level.

He said that a delegation from the European Union was due in Pakistan shortly to inspect and allow fish export. Replying to a question, Zahid Ali Bhurgri said that production of 253 tons of fish is being achieved per day at Karachi Fish Harbor while annual export of dollars 250 million was being made from other than European countries at present.

He said that according to estimate as many as 3.8 million acres of land in Sindh was lying abandoned due to water logging and salinity. He said now the Sindh government has decided to utilize this abandoned land by establishing hatcheries and fishing ponds under the public private partnership not only to raise the fishing production but also eradicate the unemployment from the society. He said the Sindh government has decided to constitute Fishermen Welfare Board.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=178261