ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has secured $3 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support marine biodiversity conservation and accelerate a transition towards sustainable and regenerative fisheries management, the federal minister for maritime affairs said on Saturday.

According to an official statement, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the project, titled Conserving marine biodiversity by accelerating transition to sustainable and regenerative fisheries management practices, will be implemented by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The proposal was developed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and aligns with national priorities and international environmental commitments. The project was prepared in consultation with relevant stakeholders, the minister said.

Of the total funding approved from the GEF Trust Fund, $1.2 million has been allocated for biodiversity-related interventions, while $1.8 million will be used to address land degradation linked to coastal and marine ecosystems.

The GEF serves as the financial mechanism for major multilateral environmental conventions, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and supports initiatives related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation and chemicals.

Highlighting challenges facing the fisheries sector, the minister said fisheries contribute around 1% to Pakistan’s gross domestic product but face mounting pressures from overfishing, high post-harvest losses and illegal practices that are straining marine ecosystems.

He said Pakistan has 701 boats engaged in tuna fishing, most of which are artisanal, with some semi-industrial vessels. Unselective fishing methods and inadequate onboard storage facilities result in significant waste and lost market opportunities.

The minister said Pakistan, despite being a member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and part of the G16 group of like-minded coastal states, continues to face challenges due to unreliable data, weak regulatory enforcement and more than 70 unofficial landing sites. These factors undermine effective monitoring, control and policymaking.

According to the statement, the programme aims to leverage political momentum for sectoral growth through improved data collection, policy reforms, infrastructure development, capacity building, enhanced market access and better fisheries management.

The initiative builds on commitments including reducing fishing effort, declaring marine protected areas and cutting bycatch, while advancing traceability systems and sustainable fishing practices.

Despite some progress, persistent issues such as overfishing, post-harvest losses and non-compliance require urgent action. The minister said the initiative seeks to address critical gaps, modernise the fisheries sector, improve fisherfolk livelihoods and enhance Pakistan’s effectiveness in meeting international obligations.”Addressing these will meet national and global commitments, delivering environmental benefits,” he noted. “This recognises fisheries’ economic role and catalyses transformation for ecological integrity and socio-economic development, aligned with policy frameworks for maximum impact.”