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ISLAMABAD: World Fisheries Day, marked globally on Nov. 21, has brought renewed attention to the growing pressures on Pakistan&rsquo;s marine resources, with WWF-Pakistan warning that uncontrolled fishing fleets and post-harvest losses are placing the country&rsquo;s coastal ecosystems at risk, according to a press release issued Thursday.&nbsp; The conservation organization called for the urgent implementation of a five-pronged strategy to restore declining fish stocks and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities. Pakistan&rsquo;s marine fisheries sector, which supports around 1 million fishermen and workers in related industries, faces stagnating and, in some cases, declining fish landings due to overexploitation, loss of key habitats, pollution, and the impacts of climate change, according to the WWF-Pakistan.&nbsp; Major post-harvest losses, high bycatch of endangered species, and an unchecked expansion of the fishing fleet are further straining marine biodiversity, it added. &ldquo;World Fisheries Day reminds us of the urgent need to protect our natural habitats and the diverse fauna and flora that are under serious threat due to unsustainable practices and the uncontrolled increase in the fishing fleet,&rdquo; said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor at WWF-Pakistan. In the statement, Khan outlined a five-pronged plan that he said should be implemented without delay to stabilize the sector and boost economic output.&nbsp; The strategy includes &ldquo;reducing the fishing fleet, improving on-board post-harvest handling in multiday fisheries, establishing shrimp farming clusters along the Sindh and Balochistan coasts, initiating exploratory fishing to sustainably utilize unexploited resources, and diversifying seafood products.&rdquo; &ldquo;Together, these measures can increase production, boost exports, and significantly improve the socio-economic conditions of coastal fishing communities,&rdquo; he said. WWF-Pakistan said the approach would help raise seafood exports and improve incomes along the country&rsquo;s 1,001-kilometer coastline while protecting fragile offshore ecosystems.&nbsp; The organization added that safeguarding these waters is essential as harmful fishing practices pose an &ldquo;extreme threat&rdquo; to the northern Arabian Sea&rsquo;s biological diversity. The organization reiterated that the fisheries sector plays a critical role at the national level. &ldquo;WWF-Pakistan, the country&rsquo;s largest conservation organization, considers fisheries an important sector of the national economy, supporting around 1 million fishermen and those involved in ancillary industries,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp; &ldquo;Since its inception, the organization has implemented numerous projects aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of coastal communities, mitigating the impact of fishing on biodiversity, reducing bycatch, and promoting sustainable practices.&rdquo; The organization emphasized that World Fisheries Day is not just a celebration of the sector&rsquo;s value but a reminder of the global challenges facing marine ecosystems and the need for coordinated action to ensure sustainability for future generations. WWF-Pakistan, formed in 1970, operates through 32 offices with a staff of nearly 300 and runs projects across the country focused on conservation, environmental protection, and community resilience, according to the press release.

FILE PHOTO: A view of the Fish Market (WWF Pakistan)

Climate & Environment

Worldwide Fund for Nature Pakistan calls for urgent implementation of a strategy to restore declining fish stocks and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities.

WWF-Pakistan calls for marine resource protection on World Fisheries Day

ISLAMABAD: Today marks Snow Leopard Day, a global observance highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect one of the world&rsquo;s most elusive and endangered species. Pakistan is home to one of the largest snow leopard populations. The country is witnessing promising outcomes from dedicated conservation programs aimed at securing the future of this iconic predator. The snow leopard is classified as critically endangered in Pakistan, with an estimated population of 155 based on a nationwide count completed in 2023. Although threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict persist, recent increased sightings and births in the wild suggest a growing population. For example, wildlife experts documented a mother snow leopard with cubs in the Central Karakoram National Park in March 2025.&nbsp; Several concerted efforts are making a tangible difference. The Pakistan Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (PSLEP), launched in 2018, brings together the Snow Leopard Foundation, Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Climate Change, and the United Nations Development Programme. Its focus includes reducing conflicts between humans and snow leopards through sustainable land management and expanding protected areas. Practical measures such as predator-proof corrals and livestock insurance schemes, introduced by organizations like the Baltistan Wildlife Conservation and Development Organization (BWCDO), are reducing retaliatory killings by local herders. The livestock insurance scheme pioneered by BWCDO compensates farmers for losses due to snow leopard predation, balancing conservation with livelihoods. This model has been so successful that it has been adopted in several other countries, including India, China, and Nepal. BWCDO is also working closely with local communities, training wildlife guards and involving villagers in monitoring efforts using camera traps and genetic analysis. Awareness and education campaigns annually engage dozens of villages, increasing understanding of the snow leopard&rsquo;s ecological importance and fostering coexistence. The Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department of Gilgit-Baltistan has reported positive outcomes from using new technologies and programs to reduce human-wildlife conflict, aiming to expand successful models to more areas. Pakistan is also part of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), allowing the country to cooperate with other range states and share best practices in conservation strategies. While challenges remain, the combined impact of government agencies, NGOs, and local communities is building a hopeful path forward for snow leopard conservation. These efforts are helping to protect the species and the fragile ecosystems it inhabits, demonstrating that coexistence between humans and wildlife is achievable.

Snow leopard in Naltar Valley (Muhammad Osama WWF Pakistan)

Pakistan marks Snow Leopard Day, highlighting conservation efforts for the critically endangered species.

Articles tagged with "WWF"

WWF-Pakistan calls for marine resource protection on World Fisheries Day

Snow leopard conservation in Pakistan shows promising progress