Introduction
The fisheries sector in Pakistan holds immense strategic and economic significance, particularly for communities along the coastal belts of Sindh and Balochistan. Though contributing a modest 0.39% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and around 2.01% to agricultural value addition, the sector provides employment to nearly 1% of the national workforce.[1] Its impact on rural livelihoods, food security, and export revenue is far greater than these figures suggest. With a coastline extending over 1,000 kilometres and an inland water system spanning thousands of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, Pakistan has the natural potential to become a major player in regional and global seafood markets.
