ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday inaugurated its first Fishing Technology Museum and launched the Mahi-Dost digital app, aiming to modernize fisheries, promote sustainable practices, trace catches, and enhance seafood exports in line with global standards, said a statement by the Press Information Department (PID).
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the museum is more than an exhibition, describing it as a strategic asset for Pakistan’s blue economy, as per the statement.
“By integrating indigenous knowledge with innovations such as AI-enabled sonar and environmentally friendly nets, we can strengthen policy decisions to combat overfishing and climate risks,” he said.
The museum, located in Karachi, showcases the evolution of fishing techniques from traditional artisanal practices to modern technologies, the statement said.
It is intended as a national hub for research, learning, and policymaking while preserving the cultural heritage of coastal communities, the statement added.
The Mahi-Dost app, launched alongside the museum, provides a digital catch-to-consumer tracking system using blockchain and GPS.
Fishermen can record catch data via QR codes, ensuring transparency and compliance with international regulations, including EU catch certification, the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Indian Ocean Tuna Commission standards, as per the statement.
Chaudhry said the app safeguards dolphin-safe fishing, supports transparent supply chains, and helps Pakistan’s $500 million seafood export sector access higher-value international markets.
"By bringing together indigenous knowledge and modern innovations such as AI-enabled sonar and environmentally friendly nets… the initiative would support informed policymaking to counter overfishing and climate-related risks”, said the statement.
Early pilot projects have already reduced EU approval times and enabled small-scale fishermen to benefit from global trade, it added.
The museum and app aim to improve monitoring, control, and surveillance, and curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing losses estimated at $1 billion. This will advance Pakistan’s Blue Economy Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 14, promoting life below water.
The government continues to emphasize its commitment to combining heritage and innovation to secure a sustainable maritime future.
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