ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched Rs90 million ($320,000) project aimed at protecting endangered sea turtles that are accidentally caught in shrimp trawling nets, the government announced on Thursday.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to promote sustainability in the fishing industry and enhance seafood exports to the US, EU, and GCC countries.
In a statement, Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the project includes the distribution and installation of standardised Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) free of cost to fishermen, alongside capacity-building workshops, hands-on training for trawler crews, and data collection to monitor the devices’ impact on shrimp catch efficiency and net performance.
A Turtle Excluder Device is a specialised mechanism fitted into shrimp trawl nets that allows sea turtles and other large marine animals to escape while retaining shrimp.
He said the project aligns with Pakistan’s international commitments on marine sustainability and biodiversity conservation, ensuring compliance with global seafood traceability and sustainability standards.
“Pakistan currently sells shrimp at a comparatively low rate of about $2 per kilogram,” Chaudhry said in a statement.
“With TED compliance and improved international certification, the price could rise to $6 per kilogram, unlocking new opportunities in lucrative markets including the US, EU, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.”
Chaudhry said the introduction of TEDs would help reduce accidental turtle capture, mitigate concerns from fishermen over shrimp loss and ensure Pakistan meets international sustainability standards.
He added that Pakistan’s shrimp exports currently stand at around $100 million annually. TED compliance and continued adherence to international standards could, he said, triple export volumes.
Pakistan already exports shrimp and other seafood products to several GCC countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, which together make up a significant portion of its seafood trade. The government aims to strengthen its position in these Gulf markets through enhanced certification and traceability measures.
In August 2025, the United States lifted a four-year ban on Pakistani seafood imports after a US inspection team confirmed that Pakistan’s fisheries now comply with American standards for protecting marine mammals during fishing operations.
This decision restored Pakistan’s access to one of the world’s largest seafood markets, valued at over $6 billion annually, and is expected to substantially boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
