The Pakistani national economy significantly benefits from the fishing sector and the fishing business. Pakistan has sufficient fisheries resources that need to be developed, with a coastline of roughly 1,120 kilometres. fishing in Pakistan is the primary income source for most people living in Sindh and Balochistan’s coastal regions. It is also a significant source of export revenue.
Pakistan has a wide array of water resources, including a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that provide a wide range of fishing options. Fishing techniques vary nationwide and are used to meet nutritional and commercial requirements.
Fishing Methods In Pakistan
1. Historic Fishing Methods
In Pakistan, historical, traditional or artisanal fishing techniques are standard. These techniques are frequently sustainable and have been used for a long time.
Handline fishing: An easy method of fishing uses a single fishing line with a prepared hook called a “hand line.” In particular, among rural populations, it is frequently practised in rivers and small aquatic bodies.
Gill Net fishing: Gill netting involves using nets submerged vertically to catch fish by their gills. This method is widely used in rivers and lakes and is fundamental for many regional fishing cultures.
Cast net fishing: Cast netting involves tossing a circular net over a group of fish, entangling them, and then retrieving them. It is a well-liked technique for catching fish in smaller areas of water.
2. Coastline Fishing Method
Pakistan’s vast coastline, different types of coastal fishing are practised, especially in areas like Karachi, Gwadar, and Ormara. Some of these techniques consist of:
Seine Beach Net fishing: When the catch is made, beach seine nets are pulled back from the shore. Coastal artisanal fisherman regularly uses this technique to catch a range of varieties of fish.
Old-fashioned boat seine net fishing: With traditional boat seine nets, fishermen circle groups of fish with tiny boats before bringing fish in. For the survival of many coastal towns, this technique is essential.
3. Modernized Fishing Methods
Pakistan has recently introduced more advanced and commercial fishing techniques, notably along its coastline. One of these methods is:
Fishing vessels: Large fishing vessels called trawlers are outfitted with cutting-edge machinery and electronics. They significantly contribute to commercial fishing by dragging massive nets across the water to catch many fish.
Purse Seiners fishing boat: Nets are used by purse seiners to enclose vast groups of fish before the bottom is closed and they are trapped. This technique makes it possible to catch lots of fish for sale efficiently.
Longliners fishing: Longliners employ long lines with several set hooks to catch particular species like swordfish and tuna. This technique is essential for focusing on particular high-value species for trade on a global scale.
