Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday announced Pakistan’s first 10-year national plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks, aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries management.
The National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA-Sharks Pakistan 2025-2035) will be implemented in three phases over the next decade under the leadership of the Marine Fisheries Department and oversight of a multi-stakeholder National Advisory Committee, the minister said in a statement.
He said an estimated $3.8 million to $5 million would be required during the first five years of the plan. The funding would come from government allocations, international donors and private-sector contributions.
The plan aims to restore shark populations, eliminate illegal finning, reduce bycatch mortality, protect critical habitats, improve coastal livelihoods and promote sustainable shark fisheries management by 2035.
It provides a framework for improving data collection and research, strengthening fisheries management and enforcement, and introducing measures including mandatory fins-naturally-attached policies and species-specific protections.
The plan also provides for habitat protection through shark sanctuaries and mangrove restoration, measures to reduce bycatch across fisheries, and engagement with fishing communities through livelihood support. International cooperation, including through the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, is also part of the framework.
“Progress will be assessed through annual performance indicators, including landing-site monitoring coverage, completion of stock assessments, deployment of vessel monitoring systems and reductions in bycatch mortality. Formal reviews will be conducted every three years,” he said.
According to the minister, the plan has been designed to reflect Pakistan’s ecological, institutional and socioeconomic conditions while remaining aligned with the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s International Plan of Action for Sharks and other international best practices.
The action plan covers all chondrichthyan species including sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras found in Pakistani waters, with particular attention to shark species targeted by fisheries or facing significant bycatch mortality.
“Although the primary emphasis is on sharks, the management frameworks, data collection systems and enforcement mechanisms established through the NPOA will also benefit other elasmobranch species, many of which face similar conservation challenges,” Junaid Chaudhry said.
He said development of the national action plan fulfilled Pakistan’s responsibility as a shark-fishing nation under international fisheries law.
Junaid Chaudhry said the FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) encouraged countries to adopt national plans for shark conservation and management, minimize waste and promote sustainable fishing practices.
“Responsible management of marine resources must come first, with stronger measures to protect vulnerable shark species and those whose capture is prohibited,” he said, adding that this was both a national responsibility and part of Pakistan’s obligations under various environmental agreements.
