PRODUCTS OF THE SEA — EXPLOITATION AND UTILIZATION 197 



their technical quaHfications. The Pakistani fishermen are competent, 

 skilled sailors, proficient in the use of their traditional equipment. There 

 seems to be no reason to doubt that these men at least will be capable 

 of learning the use of new equipment and the operation of new craft. 

 The fishermen are unable to attempt on their own behalf develop- 

 ment of their equipment and operations. This situation may be attri- 

 buted to the combined effects of the improvidence of the fishermen, the 

 inefficiency of the equipments, and the manipulation of the middlemen. 

 Cei tain external influences, such as the demand for fish and the purchas- 

 ing power of the consuming public, also have a bearing on the situation. 

 There exist considerable differences of taste among people in different 

 parts of the country; coupled with this is the inadequate marketing 

 system, which would seem to make the demand for fish uncertain and 

 weak. 



Conclusions and Recommendations 



The status of fisheries in Pakistan is low. The resources are capable 

 of yielding a much greater supply of fish than they do at present. The 

 procurement of that increase will require in some cases the introduction 

 of new methods and in others an intensification and improvement of 

 existing methods. Such changes in methods imply comparable changes 

 in the craft and gear, and in certain cases will require adjustment of 

 fishermen. Undoubtedly these changes will demand substantial re- 

 orientation of the secondary phase of the industry in order that it may 

 be capable of handling the increased supply and giving a better quality 

 of service. 



Increased production, adequate distribution and disposal of the 

 produce are the chief tasks in the development of Pakistan fisheries. 

 Extension of the fishing grounds, improvement and increased employ- 

 ment of gear, and mechanization of the craft will enhance production. 

 Construction of markets at important fish landing centres, provision of 

 sufficient ice and cold storage, railway refrigerated cars and trucks, and 

 of various processing facilities will ensure proper distribution and dis- 

 posal of the produce. 



Well-organised central and provincial Fisheries Departments are 

 formulating schemes for the development of the fisheries resources of 

 the country. As a member Pakistan has received help in this task from 

 the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. A 

 thorough survey of the resources has been undertaken in the waters off 

 the coast of Karachi where already a number of good fishing grounds 

 have been located. A scheme for the construction of a fish harbour at 

 Karachi has been approved by the Government of Pakistan. This bar- 



