STAFF REPORT KHI: Climate change is affecting fish catch in Pakistani waters as elsewhere in the world, as changes have been observed in the timing and duration of fishing seasons in the studies recently carried out in Jiwani, Keti Bunder and Kharo Chan districts.
“Changes in sea surface temperature may have both negative and positive impacts on fish population as predator and prey populations across species stand to be affected, including microbial zooplankton,” said Ali Dehlavi, Project Manager, Building Capacity on Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Areas of Pakistan (CCAP) project, at the recently concluded three-day workshop “A Regional Perspective for Assuring Sustainable Marine Resources”.
Farhad Kaymaram, Biology and Stock Assessment Specialist from Iran, said that marine fish stocks were declining. He said that 53 per cent of fish stocks were fully exploited.
Tooraj Valinassab, another senior fisheries researcher from Iran, said that there are some evidences based on research cruises in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea that the ecosystems were changing, especially in the Persian Gulf.
Denial Suddaby, Tuna Manager WWF-UK, said that he was in Pakistan to learn about fisheries management and concepts of stakeholders in Pakistan.
During the workshop, organized by the WWW Pakistan, four groups were formed which highlighted the marine issues and suggested their solutions.