Conference calls for policy on fisheries, aquaculture.

LAHORE -- Participants in a conference on 'Emerging trends for sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources' called for formulating a fisheries and aquaculture policy for the development of the emerging sector in the country.

The conference was organised by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) with the Punjab Fisheries Department and the Pakistan Fishery Development Board on Thursday.

The conference also recommended strengthening extension services, promotion of cage fish culture, shrimp culture, trout farming, introduction of high value potential fish species, development of cold chain and processing plants with model markets, use of barren and saline public and private lands for fish farming and introduction of various degree programmes in fisheries and aquaculture as well as environment protection and climate change in all universities of the country.

University of Baltistan Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Naeem Khan along with UVAS Vice Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha presided over the concluding ceremony. They also distributed shields and certificates to the organisers.

Prof Khan said they were on the verge of evolution of a 'blue revolution'' in the country and for that universities should lead the revolution through quality research, technology and education.

Prof Pasha said fisheries and aquaculture had enormous potential for growth and they had to cap that potential through national and international collaborations, public-private partnership, value-addition and processing.

Punjab Fisheries Department Director General Dr Sikander Hayyat...