Govt To Setup 17 Model Fish Farms In KP

The Government of Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) has planned to expand services of Fisheries Department to the merged tribal districts and would establish 17 model fish farms and hatcheries in different districts of the province

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jan, 2019 ) :The Government of Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) has planned to expand services of Fisheries Department to the merged tribal districts and would establish 17 model fish farms and hatcheries in different districts of the province.

"We have chalked out a comprehensive plan of action to promote fish farming in the province and decided to expand services of Fisheries Department to recently merged tribal districts to tap its rich potential," a senior Official in Fisheries Department told APP on Wednesday.

The official said importance of tribal districts for fish farming has increased manifolds due to different rivers, small dams and water reservoirs, besides its ideal climate, and the govt would facilitate private sector and farmers by providing free fish fry and fingers lings to them.

PTI govt, in its first 100 days, has prepared short, medium and long terms strategies and planed to promote fish farming in KP by setting up 17 model fish farm and fish market linkages, besides introducing new fast growing varieties of fish species during next five years.

Regarding short term planning, the official said replenishment of 40,000 fish seed from govt hatcheries in public water bodies, establishment of 17 model fish farms including for conservation of trout fish in Hazara and Malakand divisions with ideal climate conditions for breeding.

Provision of professional training to 200 fish farmers in aquaculture for enhanced fish production and livelihood opportunities, besides capacity building of 1000 technical staff through inland training programs, would be carried out.

He said issuance of 250 fish licenses for encouragement of sports fishing and tourism department besides auction of fishing rights of three units of river Indus and four small dams and reservoirs of public water bodies is also a major step.

Regarding medium term plan, he said, the govt would setup state-of-the art fish hatchery in Swabi district for fish replenishment of Tarbela and Khanpur dams, besides compilation of private fish farms inventory in the province.

Focus would be made on improvement of coordination and liaison with academia for fisheries research and development, introduction of new and fast growing varieties of fish species and introduction of cage fish culture.

Asked about long term planning, the official said the govt has chalked out a comprehensive plan for determination of fish biodiversity, establishment fish markets linkages and research wing in Fisheries Department.

The department would create trout excellence centre and creation of fish biodiversity in the province and expanding its services to North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kurram, Orakzai, Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur districts.

Asked about 100 days achievements, the official said 1027 licenses were issued to fish anglers besides providing training to 50 technical staff of the department and imparted training to 157 to farmers.

During this period, he said, 28 fish farms were established in different districts besides 834800 fish stocking of fry and finger lings (small fish) were provided to farmers.

The official said about Rs 2,28,05,000 would be generated from auction of fishing rights of three units of River Indus and four small dams and reservoirs of public water bodies in the province.

To a question, the official said there was no shortage of fish meat in the province and sufficient stock was available for consumers' consumption.

Focus was being given on conservation and breeding of an endangered 'Mah Sher' and Trout fish in model farms and hatcheries in the province.

He stressed the need for inclusion of fish farming in the curriculum so that students could get information about importance of aquatic specie in our daily lives.