Independent Report
Islamabad: Fishing communities along Pakistan’s southwest coast are beginning to see renewed hope as reforms, aquaculture development, and growing Chinese investment signal a more sustainable future for Balochistan’s fisheries sector.
Officials say coordinated efforts by the Balochistan government, the Fisheries Department, the federal government, and Chinese investors are gradually stabilizing an industry long affected by economic uncertainty. The optimism was highlighted at the 9th CPEC Media Forum in Islamabad, where Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong emphasized environmentally responsible growth through onshore aquaculture in Gwadar.
He noted that a Chinese company is planning an initial investment of 15 million RMB in onshore fish farming, with future expansion to offshore aquaculture after the first phase. Onshore aquaculture is viewed as a way to diversify fishermen’s income while reducing pressure on marine resources.
These initiatives align with Pakistan’s Fisheries & Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035 and provincial plans focused on shrimp farming, marine monitoring, and sustainable fisheries development along Balochistan’s coastline.
