Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that
Pakistan has secured $3 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to conserve marine
biodiversity and accelerate a shift toward sustainable and regenerative fisheries management.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the maritime minister said the project titled “Conserving
marine biodiversity by accelerating transition to sustainable and regenerative fisheries
management practices”, will be executed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
Proposed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs through the Ministry of Climate Change and
Environmental Coordination, it aligns with national priorities and global environmental
commitments, developed in consultation with stakeholders.
Of the total funding from the GEF Trust Fund, $1.2 million targets biodiversity interventions,
while $1.8 million addresses land degradation linked to coastal and marine ecosystems, the
minister stated.
GEF supports initiatives in biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation,
chemicals and waste, and sustainable forest management as the financial mechanism for major
conventions including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and others.
Minister Junaid Chaudhry highlighted the fisheries sector challenges, which contribute about
1% to Pakistan GDP. Our sector faces overfishing, high post-harvest losses, and illicit
practices that strain marine environments," he said. With 701 boats in tuna fishing, mostly
artisanal with some semi-industrial, unselective methods and poor onboard storage lead to
waste and lost market opportunities.
Pakistan, a key player in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and aligned with G16 like-
minded coastal states, struggles with unreliable data, weak regulations, and over 70 unofficial
landing sites that hinder monitoring, control, and policy-making.
Junaid Chaudhry said the programme aims to leverage political momentum for growth through
data collection, policy reform, infrastructure, capacity building, market access, transparency,
and better management.
It builds on commitments like reducing fishing effort, declaring Marine Protected Areas, and
cutting bycatch, while advancing traceability and practices Junaid Chaudhry added.
Despite progress, persistent issues like overfishing, losses, and non-compliance demand urgent
action. The minister emphasized that the initiative fills critical gaps, modernizes the sector,
improves fisherfolk livelihoods, and boosts international effectiveness.
Addressing these will meet national and global commitments, delivering environmental
benefits he noted. This recognizes fisheries' economic role and catalyzes transformation for
ecological integrity and socio-economic development, aligned with policy frameworks for
maximum impact.
