5TH INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES SYMPOSIUM CONCLUDES

Lahore :  Fisheries Department Punjab jointly arranged the 5^th International Fisheries Symposium in collaboration with Pakistan Fisheries Society, European Union, Food & Agriculture Organization & Fisheries Development Board on 24-25 February, 2015 at Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore. The main theme of the symposium was to discuss opportunities for trade and investment in fisheries industry in the country. Dr. Lahsen. Ababouch, Chief of Fisheries Indus Division of FAO chaired the symposium.

Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan, Minister of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department Punjab inaugurated the Symposium on behalf of Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab.

Dr. Muhammad Ayub, Director General Fisheries, President Pakistan Fisheries Society gave the overview of the departmental activities for the promotion of fisheries and aquaculture in the country especially in the Punjab province. Mian Ibrar Ahmad, Additional Secretary, Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department in his speech told that the Fisheries Department is focusing especially on the trade & investment opportunities by establishing aquaculture export processing zone with collaboration of private sector. He also said that the international symposium has provided a platform for knowledge-sharing among the fisheries scientists.

Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan, Minister for Fisheries, in his speech, said that 8000 fish farms have been established on 60000 acres in Punjab and the number of farms is increasing day by day. He also stated that soft loans as previously extended to the farmers may be revised so that fish farmers could be benefitted. He told that the present government has given the fisheries sector due importance in its manifesto and the development budget of the fisheries sector has been increased manifold.

Mr. Lahsen Ababouch, the chief of FAO Fisheries division, who chaired the symposium; in his speech informed that FAO has launched a blue growth project for promotion of fisheries and aquaculture and Pakistan being a member country may become partner in the project.

On 25^th February, the 2^nd day of the symposium, more than 100 technical research papers on aquaculture, fish health and aquatic pollution were presented by the researchers. In the concluding session, two gold medals were awarded to the eminent scientists who have made praiseworthy contribution in fisheries science.