"Fishing industry in Pakistan experiences repercussions due to Iran-Israel conflict"
In the coastal region of Balochistan, Pakistan, a quiet crisis is unfolding. The Iran-Israel conflict, though geographically distant, has indirectly affected the lives of thousands who depend on fishing for their livelihood.
The province's approximately 770km coastline along the Arabian Sea supports a substantial fishing industry. Around 16,000 registered boats and thousands more unregistered catch approximately 340,000 tonnes of fish annually, contributing nearly PKR 19.9 billion (US$70.1 million) to the market. Key species include tuna, Spanish mackerel, croaker, and various sardines and mackerels.
However, the war has led Pakistan to close its border with Iran, disrupting both the inflow of fuel and the export of fish. This decision has left fishing boats stranded ashore, causing income loss and food insecurity among fishing households.
One such family is that of Lateefa Nasir, a resident of Ormara. The crisis has made it difficult for her family to afford basic needs, including food and education for their children, forcing them to rely increasingly on loans.
The closure of the border has caused a ripple effect, affecting not just the fishermen but also ice factories, fish transporters, fish-processing owners, boat mechanics, and small vendors. Jumait Jangir Baloch, a fisher and a certified fish trader in Gwadar, is among those struggling.
The lack of access to the Iranian market, particularly for tuna, has put the entire fishery in Balochistan on the brink of collapse. Women who work in fish processing, grading, drying, and selling are losing their wages, further deepening the crisis.
Small vendors, who rely on cheap fish to sell, are also affected. Without the supply of affordable fish species like sardines and Indian mackerel, they find it challenging to maintain their livelihoods.
The crisis could trigger a serious food security and nutrition crisis in low-income communities in Balochistan. Rasheed, from the Balochistan Rural Support Programme, suggests that modern infrastructure could transform Balochistan's fishing industry into a lucrative export sector, reducing dependency on bartering and boosting the economy.
In response to the crisis, provincial official Kakkar has submitted a proposal for a PKR 380 million (US$1.34 million) endowment fund to support emergency fuel subsidies, welfare schemes, and compensation for affected fishermen.
However, the situation remains complex. The sector remains poorly regulated, underfunded, and deeply exposed to external shocks. The area's proximity to Iran makes it sensitive to geopolitical shifts, which can further destabilize local conditions and complicate food and economic security.
As the conflict continues, the fishing communities of Balochistan face an uncertain future. Their resilience, however, remains unwavering, as they navigate the challenges posed by the Iran-Israel conflict, climate change, and overfishing.
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