- Nod displays recognition of high quality of Pakistan’s seafood: minister.
- Anwar says NOAA categorised Pakistani fisheries as “comparable”.
- “Approval very important to safeguard multi-million-dollar seafood exports.”
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Saturday introduced that america has granted Pakistan a four-year extension to proceed exporting fish and fish-related merchandise.
“The US nod displays worldwide recognition of the standard of Pakistan’s seafood and can present long-term stability to the sector,” the minister mentioned in a press release.
The extension is anticipated to bolster our place within the international seafood market, securing entry to one of many world’s largest seafood importers, he added.
Final month, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) mentioned that Pakistan’s seafood exports rose to $465 million in FY25, reflecting a 13.4% improve in worth and an 8% development in amount in comparison with the earlier yr.
At the moment, Pakistani seafood earns about $2 per kilogramme within the international market. With this worldwide endorsement of compliance, the value is projected to rise, doubtlessly opening new markets in Europe and the Gulf.
In FY 2024–25, Pakistan exported 242,484 metric tonnes of fish and associated merchandise value $489.2 million at a median of $2 per kilogramme. The identical export quantity subsequent yr may generate practically $600 million.
In right this moment’s assertion, Minister Anwar Chaudhry defined that america Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has categorised all Pakistani fisheries listed on its Record of International Fisheries (LOFF) as “comparable” beneath the Marine Mammal Safety Act (MMPA).
“This classification confirms that Pakistan’s fisheries meet US requirements for safeguarding marine mammals from incidental mortality and critical harm throughout fishing operations,” he mentioned.
The MMPA requires fisheries to minimise marine mammal bycatch, undertake conservation practices, and function sustainably measures that additionally assist more healthy marine ecosystems.
Minister Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistan’s profitable submission of a complete compliance file to NOAA beneath the MMPA was a crucial milestone.
This acceptance validates Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to manage its industrial fisheries, uphold sustainable fishing practices, and align with worldwide environmental requirements.
He emphasised that this approval is significant to safeguard Pakistan’s multi-million-dollar seafood exports to the US market whereas concurrently enhancing the nation’s fame for accountable and sustainable fisheries administration worldwide.
Nonetheless, he additionally burdened the significance of repeatedly strengthening protecting measures for marine mammal populations, as really helpful by NOAA, to make sure the long-term well being of marine biodiversity.
