Fish

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the fishing methods used in both marine and inland waters, including fish farms
  2. Give examples of the fish caught in both marine and inland waters, and of the fish reared on fish farms
  3. Give examples of the fishing ports on both the Balochistan and Sindh coasts
  4. Describe the uses of the fish caught
  5. Explain improvements in fishing methods and processing techniques
  6. Understand the problems facing the fishing industry and evaluate the possibilities for its further development and sustainability

1. Marine Fishing Methods

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Marine fishing means fishing in the sea. Pakistan has a coastline of about 1,046 km along the Arabian Sea. This coastline is divided into two regions:

  • Sindh Coast (30% of the total coastline)
  • Makran Coast in Balochistan (70% of the total coastline)

Types of Fish in the Sea

Fish in the sea live at different depths:

  • Pelagic fish – These fish live near the surface of the sea water. Examples include some types of sharks and sardines.
  • Demersal fish – These fish live at the bottom of the sea (the sea bed) in shallow water where sunlight can reach. They feed on planktons (tiny plant and animal organisms that float in the sea or settle on the sea bed).

Fish Food: Planktons

Planktons are the main food for fish. They grow because:

  • Sunlight helps carbon dioxide and oxygen dissolve in the surface water
  • Rivers bring nutrients like phosphates and nitrates into the sea
  • These nutrients help planktons grow, which then feed the fish

Two Types of Marine Fishing

A. Subsistence Fishing

Subsistence fishing is when fishermen catch fish mainly for their own family to eat, not to sell.

Characteristics:

  • Use small wooden boats (less than 20 meters long)
  • Operated by the owner and a few crew members (usually family)
  • Use traditional nets and hand nets
  • Fish only up to 5 km from the shore because boats have limited fuel and no refrigeration
  • Go out for one day only
  • Cover a small area (1-2 hectares of sea)
  • The catch (amount of fish) is small
  • Fish is preserved by drying, salting, or gutting (removing internal organs)
  • Some fish is kept in baskets with ice

B. Commercial Fishing

Commercial fishing is when fish is caught in large quantities to sell for profit in the market.

Characteristics:

  • Use large mechanized boats (up to 100 meters long)
  • Employ up to 100 people, owned by companies
  • Travel 50-60 km from the coast into deep-sea waters
  • Stay away from port for weeks
  • Use modern technology:
    • Radar and sonar to locate fish
    • Satellites for navigation and weather updates
    • Cold storage facilities on boats to keep fish fresh
    • Mechanized equipment and engines
  • Use strong nylon nets and ropes at least 1 km wide
  • Fish is processed on board: gutted, canned, dried, frozen, salted; fish oil is also extracted

Types of Nets Used in Marine Fishing

  1. Trawling – A large net is dragged along the bottom of the sea by one or more boats. This catches demersal fish (fish that live near the sea bed).

  2. Purse Seining – A large curtain-like net surrounds a school of fish swimming near the surface or in the middle of the sea. The bottom of the net is then closed like a purse. This catches pelagic fish (fish near the surface).

  3. Drift Netting – A long net is set vertically in the water across the path of migrating fish. When fish try to swim through, they get tangled in the net.

  4. Gill Netting – Nets are set in the water, and fish swim into them and get caught by their gills.

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