Pakistan has begun construction of an environmentally efficient floating jetty at the Qur’angi Fisheries Harbor Authority (KoFHA) in Karachi, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said this week. The Rs120 million project is due for completion by June and is meant to help fisherfolk offload export-quality fish catches more smoothly.
Jetty designed to work with tidal changes
According to the minister, the floating jetty will adjust to tidal variations, unlike fixed structures, and will reduce dependence on water levels. He said that would give fishing vessels uninterrupted access and allow fishermen to handle their catch more efficiently regardless of tidal conditions.
“The initiative would ensure safer and more reliable access to the water, while facilitating the smooth landing and unloading of fish catch,” Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry was quoted as saying by the information ministry.
“The project aimed to boost operational efficiency and create new economic opportunities for coastal communities.”
Chaudhry said improved accessibility would shorten turnaround times between fishing trips, allowing fishermen to spend more time at sea while lowering operational costs. He said the jetty is particularly suitable for shallow-water areas.
Catch monitoring and marine impact mentioned in the plan
The facility will include a dedicated offloading point integrated with catch-monitoring systems to promote sustainable fishing practices, improve resource management and operations in shallow-water areas, and enhance efficiency in the fisheries sector, according to the minister.
Chaudhry called floating jetties a “cost-effective solution for areas with significant tidal fluctuations” and said the project’s design and construction would take into account possible impacts on the surrounding marine ecosystem.
“The project would strengthen the fisheries sector and contribute to the socio-economic uplift of coastal communities,” he added.
Seafood exports and Russia market opening
Pakistan’s seafood exports currently stand at around $500 million annually, with key markets including China, the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.
The development comes days after Chaudhry said Russia had approved 16 local seafood processing plants for exports, opening a new market worth up to $300 million for the fisheries sector. He said: “This paves the way for our first-ever shipments to Russia and the broader Eurasian market.”
The Russian government did not immediately comment on the development.
