ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has obtained $3 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund to support marine biodiversity protection and shift the fisheries sector toward sustainable management practices, the maritime affairs ministry said.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the project would be implemented by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and other stakeholders.
According to officials, $1.2 million of the funding will support biodiversity conservation measures, while $1.8 million will be used to address land degradation affecting coastal and marine ecosystems.
Authorities say the programme will improve fisheries monitoring, introduce better data collection systems, strengthen policy enforcement and expand marine protected areas. It also aims to reduce illegal and unregulated fishing and promote responsible harvesting methods.
The ministry said Pakistan’s fisheries sector faces challenges including overfishing, weak regulation, post-harvest losses and inadequate storage facilities. The new initiative seeks to modernize infrastructure, enhance traceability and improve market access for fishermen.
Officials added that the project aligns with Pakistan’s international environmental commitments and is expected to support livelihoods while improving long-term ecosystem sustainability.
