Maritime Stewardship Council (MSC) certification is the most acceptable environmental accreditation system which has accredited about 300 fisheries world over. WWF-Pakistan is endeavouring to get troll fisheries for yellow fin tuna of Sur (Gwadar) to get MSC certification for which a Fisheries Implementation Programme (FIP) is being implemented with the collaboration of Department of Fisheries, Balochistan. While, Professor Mukhtar Ahmad Mahar, Director, Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies, University of Sindh, Thatta campus pointed out that razor clam fishery of Sindh creeks has potential for seeking MSC certification. Centre for Coastal and Deltaic Studies in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan is conducting survey and collecting necessary information so as to get place this fishery for pre-assessment. This fishery supports about 1,000 families in the creek system of the River Indus.
"Razor clam is exported in live and frozen form to China, Korea and other south-east Asian Countries", he added. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor (Marine Fisheries) WWF-Pakistan revealed that stocks of demersal fish have been over-exploited in Pakistan and there seems to be no possibility of getting the demersal fisheries seeking MSC certification whereas there is possibility of obtaining MSC certification of some large pelagic and small pelagic fisheries. Sardinella fisheries of Balochistan and crab fisheries of some coastal villages have immense potential because of their limited operation and lesser impact on environment. According to Khan maximum potential for seeking ecolabel exists for molluscan fisheries of Pakistan.
WWF-Pakistan is implementing initial fisheries improvement plan and pre-assessment for swimming crab fisheries of Sapat and Malan along Balochistan coast. Similar work in being done for razor clam of Indus creek and Miani Hor. In addition, it is planned to seek accreditation for hard clam and ivory shell fisheries of Sindh. It is also planned to undertake assessment of jellyfish fisheries of Keti Bundar and Damb for seeking MSC certification. It is expected that obtaining MSC Certification for some important fisheries of Pakistan will boost in the export of seafood from Pakistan. Participants from Fisheries department, universities and research organisations appreciated the efforts of WWF-Pakistan in seeking MSC certification for important fisheries of country as it will help in improving livelihood conditions of the coastal communities.-PR