Abstract
The nature and present condition of the fresh-water
fish and fisheries of Pakistan with special reference tb
fish Culture for f ood have been investigated. The t imeli—
ness and importance of such a Study cannot be exaggerated
in view of the fact that fresh-water fishes supply nearly
40% Of the necessary animal protein to balance the rice—
vegetable diet of the Pakistanis.
The fishery resources of Pakistan have not yet been
properly assessed. The fresh—water f i sheries constitute
nearly 70% of all f i Sheri es of Pakistan. Over 300,000 ponds,
four large and numerous small rivers and streams, lakes,
Swamps and rice fields Support the fresh-water fisheries•.
The productivity Of these waters are believed to be quite
high, but the traditional pract ices Of fish culture and fish
ing in these waters have not significantly increased the
catch.
The pond cultural practices ("teichwirtschafttt) in
Pakistan (East Pakistan, in particular) are quite extensive.
As the indigenous carps Spawn in rivers and not in culture
ponds, the Pakistani fish farmer must depend on the timely
supply of the stocking material. Difficulties in the trans—
port of fish fry to the numerous stocking ponds situated far
away from the spawning grounds 1 inlit, to a great extent, the
maximum utilization of ponds for fish cultyre.
Ponds are not constructed in Pakistan on a scientific
basis. A domestic pond which is excavated for the supply of
necessary earth for house building is used for a variety of
it supplies drinking water, it is used for bathing
purposes:
as well as washing, it is also Stocked with fish, mainly
carps—-katla (Cat Ia cat 1 a), rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal
(Cirrhina mrigal a) and kalbaus (Labeo calbasu) . / Ponds are
never limed or fertilized with standard inorganic fertilizers.
Carps and other food fishes which are fattened or raised in
ponds depend on the natural food supply of the ponds. Arti-
ficial feeding of carps is rarely practiced in Pakistan.
From the physico—chemical and biological points of
view, Pakistan's fisheries in fresh-water rivers, lakes,
swamps and rice f ields are not well managed. Limnological
studies of •these fish—bearing waters have not yet been under-
taken in Pakistan. Frequently, destructive fishing practices
are employed for lack of effective conservation measures.
The craft and gear are also outmoded. and are not efficient
in catching operation. These problems ha•ve been studied in
detail and practical measures for their solution have been
suggested .
In addition to the problems of fish culture and fish-
ing, poor means of preservation, storage, transport and mar—
keting have further hindered a greater consumption of the
fresh-water food fishes in Pakistan- Chilling and freezing
of fish are not practiced in any significant amount due to
the high cost involved. Cur ing (drying, for one) is .the
usual process of f iSh preservation in Pakistan. The public
health aspects of the curing process are not adequately
stressed. Transport and marketing of fish and fishery prod—
ucts are yet to be organized in Pakistan. The socio—economic
conditions of
problems also
measures have
the f i shermen need great improvement These
have been studied' in some detail and practical
been Suggested to solve them