Islamabad—The Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) has completed a fisheries Infrastructure survey of the Indus Delta in Badin and Thatta Districts of Sindh.

At the request of the Sindh Government, CSF assigned one of its fisheries experts, Robert Lindley to carry out a survey of coastal fisheries in Badin and Thatta, says a statement issued by the fund here today.

Mr. Lindley spend three weeks in the province and made extensive visits to sites in the two districts. He was accompanied by staff from the Sindh Fisheries Department. Mr. Lindley, with long experience in fisheries development, looked at the feasibility of construction a model fish harbor in the delta region.

He also focused on the other pressing needs for fisheries development and improvements in the quality of fish being produced in the area.

However, following the survey it is advised specifically against any large scale development in the area. “Due to the high geophysical risk, unprecedented siltation problems requiring expensive dredging, declining fish catch volumes and continuing serious environmental degradation throughout coastal Badin anywhere in the delta, are very poor,” says the survey.

The survey report has recommended investments in smaller scale infrastructure, such as fully equipped small fish landing sheds and floating pontoons are far less risky in the delta environment and are beneficial to a large number of fishermen spread out over the whole delta area.

On the other hand, the survey suggests that Sindh Fisheries Department, already implementing fisheries development programs in Badin and Thatta Districts, should maintain the momentum of their existing programs by concentrating on this sort of input at selected fish landing sites, and make some simple modifications to the existing programme.

The Sindh Fisheries Department also plans to provide other varied assistance to fishermen, for safety at sea, and to improve the quality of fish by maintaining the cool chain from capture to consumer.

The latter involves promoting the use of ice and insulated plastic containers, coupled with targeted training for fishermen to ensure the full benefits are realized. Reverse osmosis will be used to provide clean potable water at various strategic sites.

The survey strongly supports this type of initiative, which will improve fishermen’s earnings and livelihoods.—APP