The first ever fisheries policy of the country recently announced by the Fisheries Ministry offers a silver lining vis-à-vis development of the sector as it aims at increasing the production as well as quality of fish, prawns and other seafood.
Proposed measures in the national policy include proper storage of fish, provision of facilities for its sale and purchase, strengthening the marketing sector, and improving the transport system for the transport of fish and prawns to Karachi.
According to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, more than 0.5 million people are employed in the fisheries sector, and, at the moment, seafood worth $200 millions is being exported, which could be expanded to $1 billion.
It is worth noting that in the coastal areas of the province of Sindh, lack of availability of modern facilities, ignorance of health and cleanliness related fundamental principles and other issues leaves only 20 per cent of the total fish and other seafood catch for human consumption. Whereas 80 per cent is used for poultry feed.
According to the ministry, after the implementation of the national fisheries policy, these problems can be solved. This will also lead to solving the problems of the fishermen and result in increasing their incomes. This will also lead to increasing the export potential of the sector.
Annual average consumption of fish in the country as food is 1.8 kilogram per person. These figures are not just discouraging they are the lowest in the world. As per the first ever national fisheries policy, a fisheries development board has been formed with the collaboration of public and private sector.  The board comprises of fishermen, farms exporters, traders and researchers. This board will encourage and support prawn and fish farming. Under the fisheries policy, in the next 4 years, modern fish/ prawn farms will be established at a cost of Rs2 billion. In this regard, three farms have been planned to be established in the province of Sindh.
Under the national policy, prawn farms will be established over 1,175 acres, trout fish farms over 500 acres, and fish hatcheries over 1,000 acres.
Re-modeling of 4 hatcheries and establishment of five new ones is also part of the plan. Construction of model boats and allocation of Rs600 million for the betterment of fishermen under different projects are also part of the first national fisheries policy.
In addition to the mentioned important projects, various interim plans are also part of the national fisheries policy. These measures, if carried out, will lead to increasing the export potential of the sector. This will also improve the standard of living of the fishermen. 
The lower Sindh coastal areas are famous for their fish and prawn produce but for the past few years there has been a decrease in the production of fish and prawns. One of the contributing factors is the waste discharge by the sugar mills in lower Sindh into sea water.
In the past few years many sugar mills in the area have been involved in discharge of poisonous material that has adversely affected the sea life. The sea pollution is not just a threat to aquatic life but it has also threatened human life in the area.
Lack of transport facilities in the coastal areas has been a serious issue since day one. Potable drinking water has become a scarce commodity. Due to the fact that the underground water reserves are not fit for drinking, the residents of the coastal belt, especially the fishermen, are forced to bring water from areas 20 to 30 kilometers away.
During the rainy season and inclement weather at the sea, the area comes under the shadow of storms and gets flooded. These areas remain cut off from the rest of the country during such circumstances.
In the national fisheries policy, all such matters have been taken into account and it is imperative that the recommendations and measures planned should be implemented as well.