Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced on Thursday the establishment of a dedicated fisheries and aquaculture research centre at the Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHA).
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernise the nation’s underperforming fisheries sector, which currently contributes less than 0.5% to the national GDP despite its considerable potential for growth, according to an official information today.
The envisioned 10-acre facility is designed as a comprehensive “Aqua Ecosystem,” aiming to integrate the entire fish supply chain, from catching and farming to landing, auctioning, monitoring, testing, processing, packing, and eventual export. Mr. Chaudhry expressed confidence that effective implementation could elevate fisheries into a multi-billion-dollar industry, serving as a prototype for modern aquaculture practices.
Supported by extensive research and training components, the centre will incorporate hatcheries, aquaculture trials, quality control laboratories, and technology demonstrations. The Minister indicated that the hub would foster research-led advancements in areas such as feed efficiency, disease control, selective breeding, and yield optimisation, benefiting fisherfolk, farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and other industry stakeholders.
Implementation efforts are slated to include pilot projects, extension services, and collaborative partnerships with academic institutions, international organisations, non-governmental bodies, and private investors. Initial focus species for development include shrimp, tilapia, seabass, and pomfret.
Anticipated economic benefits encompass streamlined value chains, increased seafood exports, higher incomes within the sector, and the creation of new employment opportunities across farming, processing, logistics, and research. Furthermore, the project incorporates sustainability features, including controlled farming practices, responsible stock management, waste reduction, and habitat protection.
Despite these ambitions, Mr. Chaudhry acknowledged potential risks such as water pollution, disease outbreaks, and habitat disruption. To mitigate these challenges, the project intends to deploy cutting-edge IoT-based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). These advanced land-based farming systems utilise sensors, automation, and real-time analytics to recirculate and treat water, significantly reducing waste and operating efficiently within limited coastal areas.
An IoT-based RAS represents a high-technology approach to fish farming, wherein water is continuously recycled, and environmental conditions are automatically monitored and controlled using smart sensors and internet-connected devices. This methodology aims to render aquaculture more efficient, sustainable, and scalable.
Concluding his statement, the Minister affirmed that the long-term objective is to establish a sustainable, export-oriented aquaculture hub of regional significance, thereby driving economic expansion through a robust blue economy.