Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has said that the government is eyeing a $200 million boost for the country’s tuna fish sector, after securing a new fishing quota from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).
In his message on the occasion of World Tuna Day on Saturday, Junaid Chaudhry said IOTC has issued a new tuna fishing quota of 25,000 metric tons, which comprises 15,000 tons of Yellowfin Tuna and 10,000 tons of Skipjack Tuna.
The IOTC is an intergovernmental body comprising 30 member states, established under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (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.
The minister described the development as a “turning point” for the country’s tuna sector. He noted that though Pakistan currently catches more than 45,000 metric tons of tuna each year, much of it has been escaping the formal economy due to unregulated operations.
The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs said that government is taking all possible measures to curb illegal fishing and Pakistan playing vital role internationally for the promotion of fisheries.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhary said that modern longlining technology has been introduced to replace harmful hunting methods.
He said that after the upgradation of ports marginable increase is being witnessed in exports for European countries.
