Latest news with #ExclusiveEconomicZone
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's blue economy: an ocean of missed opportunity
Pakistan's coastal waters hold the key to a multi-billion-dollar economy; nonetheless, this potential remains largely untapped. The country's blue economy has yet to find a meaningful place in national economic planning. This lack of vision risks Pakistan forfeiting its rightful share of the global blue economy, which is expected to surpass USD3 trillion by 2030. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pakistan's blue economy contributes a meagre 0.4 percent to the national GDP's – an astonishingly low figure considering the country's 1,050-kilometre coastline and a 290,000 square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In stark contrast, other regional countries like Bangladesh and Iran have made significant strides in harnessing the wealth of their coastal resources. By leveraging its robust fisheries sector, Bangladesh shipbuilding and shipbreaking sectors generate thousands of jobs and significant export revenue, contributing meaningfully to the national economy. Similarly, Iran, with 30 ports along its coastline, handles 235 million tons of maritime traffic. It has dedicated USD 3.7 billion to develop and digitalise its commercial ports in 2025, upscaling its potential in maritime transport. With sturgeon farming, the Iran Fisheries Organisation has exported 18.5 tons of farmed caviar and 4,600 tons of sturgeon meat in 2023. Pakistan's poor maritime governance, underinvestment, and lack of integrated policy prevent it from securing a share in the global marine economy boom. Pakistan's blue economy crisis is mainly infrastructural, as indicated by its exclusion from the Logistics Performance Index. The country's strategic coastal position enables it to function as a regional transit hub through its three major ports: Port Qasim, Karachi Port, and Gwadar. Nonetheless, Port Qasim suffers from poor logistics operations and underused facilities, as its outdated infrastructure operates below 50percent of its maximum potential. Despite handling high traffic volumes, Karachi Port faces persistent congestion and limited expansion, operating below optimal capacity. Gwadar Port holds significant value but remains disconnected from Pakistan's industrial and energy networks. Pakistan needs to invest modernisation investments, improved logistics, and streamlined governance to maximise the potential of its ports to attain recognition as a leading maritime hub. Similarly, the fisheries sector of Pakistan is chronically underperforming. The country ranks 35th worldwide on the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) Fishing Risk Index because its waters continue to experience widespread IUU fishing activities. Moreover, post-harvest losses reach 35 percent because the sector lacks adequate cold storage facilities and is experiencing poor handling practices. The fish exports from Pakistan are 136,000 metric tonnes with a value of USD 400 million, despite having the potential to reach USD 2 billion. According to the World Bank, revenues would increase by 60 percent if Pakistan implements better port management along with regulatory reform and technological improvements. Beyond trade and fisheries, Pakistan's blue economy holds immense potential in Marine Renewable Energy. Pakistan's coastline, particularly the 17 major creeks of the Indus Delta, offers significant opportunities for tidal energy generation. The estimated power output from tidal energy projects in these regions amounts to 900 to 1,100 MW, offering a renewable solution for coastal energy. The EEZ of Pakistan holds potential for the development of offshore wind and wave energy projects. Yet these possibilities remain absent from Pakistan's primary energy policy. Pakistan also has considerable scope in seabed mining and blue bio-technology. Pakistan's EEZ holds vast offshore deposits of oil, gas, and minerals, awaiting extractions. The Indus and Makran offshore areas contain hydrocarbon resources, while Murray Ridge has potential for hard rock metallic minerals. Moreover, the blue bio-technology sector leverages marine bio-diversity to develop pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and bio-based products, offering promising applications in disease treatment. The market for this industry worldwide will expand from USD 5.65 billion in 2024 to USD 10.54 billion by 2032 at a 7.15 percent annual growth rate. Pakistan, however, lacks a roadmap or institutions to support innovation in this field. The human cost of this inaction is also worth noting. Pakistan's coastal communities, particularly in Sindh and Baluchistan, face high rates of poverty, underemployment, and environmental vulnerability. A well-governed blue economy could offer diversemarine livelihoods, skills development, and employment in sectors ranging from aquaculture to eco-tourism. Instead, years of ad hoc planning have left these communities dependent on informal fishing practices, vulnerable to climate shocks, such as coastal erosion and salinization. In short, unlocking the blue economy's potential is not a matter of discovering new resources but managing existing ones more wisely. It requires investment in coastal infrastructure, digitised port logistics, vocational training for a marine workforce, and research collaboration with universities and international partners. The private sector must also be incentivised to invest in value-added industries like seafood processing, aquaculture, and sustainable tourism. With the right ecosystem, the blue economy could become a new engine for Pakistan's economic diversification, reducing reliance on remittances and traditional agriculture while aligning with the country's climate goals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Metro
6 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
British fishing boat impounded in France accused of illegal fishing
A British fishing boat named after Margaret Thatcher is in French custody after being accused of operating without a licence in the country's waters. The Lady T is being held at the port of Boulogne and faces being confiscated after being seized in the English Channel on Thursday night. French navy ship the Pluvier caught the vessel, whose skipper may face prosecution for whelk fishing without a licence. The incident comes days after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer came under fire for his EU fishing rights deal which critics say favours the French. The British vessel was caught in the French Exclusive Economic Zone, off the Somme Bay, according to France's Martime Prefecture. A spokesman said: 'During this operation, which was part of the State's maritime enforcement, a British fishing vessel was inspected by sailors from the Navy patrol vessel while fishing without a license in French waters. 'As the offence was proved, the fishing vessel was diverted during the night of May 23rd to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, following the instructions of the Delegate for the Sea and Coastline, acting on behalf of the Regional Prefect, who oversees the fisheries police, for the purpose of initiating prosecution under the authority of the Public Prosecutor.' The Lady T was moored behind the Bassin Loubet fish market in Boulogne yesterday. The skipper, who refused to give his name, said: 'I have nothing to say to you, I won't answer.' Shadow home secretary Chris Philp drew on the example of the thousands of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats to accuse France of double standards. He claimed Paris was 'taking no action whatsoever at sea and often ushering the illegal immigrants into UK waters' but 'when a UK fishing vessel is in French waters all of a sudden they are magically able to act.' Under a new deal, European trawlers will be granted access to British waters for a further 12 years. A previous agreement, reached under prime minister Boris Johnson, saw the UK regain 25 per cent of EU fishing quotas, but this was set to run out next year. Now the EU will maintain unfettered access to the UK's coastal waters until 2038. Downing Street has said that the deal 'protects Britain's fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas with no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters'. Sir Keir met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at a summit in Lancaster House, London, to negotiate the deal. The Foreign Office said it is offering support to a British national in France and is in touch with the local authorities. More Trending A government spokesperson added: 'As the vessel remains subject to an ongoing investigation by French fisheries authorities, we are unable to comment further at this time.' Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: 80 migrants saved from Channel in UK's biggest rescue for three years MORE: Sailor blockaded in France warns 'don't mess with the French' MORE: French patrol ship 'escorted small boats into UK waters for major rescues'
Barnama
23-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
LIMA'25: KD Lekiu, KM Tun Fatimah Remain The Pulse Of The Country's Maritime Defence
By Nur Syahidayah Mahasan LANGKAWI, May 23 (Bernama) -- In the face of increasingly complex and challenging maritime threats to nations, the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) KD Lekiu and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA), KM Tun Fatimah remain steadfast in sailing the seas to protect the maritime borders of the country. Despite their different roles and specifications, these two national defence assets still share a common mission, which is to be the backbone of ensuring the security and sovereignty of the country's waters from external threats, as well as monitoring the country's waters. KD Lekiu, with its high combat capabilities, functions as the country's primary defence fortress in the open sea while KM Tun Fatimah strengthens the enforcement of maritime laws and surveillance in coastal areas and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Describing KD Lekiu as the country's number one warship, its Commanding Officer Captain Mahamad Nazer Darus described the country's warship's ability to conduct four-dimensional warfare. "First, subsurface (underwater) warfare where we counter, repel and also search and destroy submarines. Second, surface warfare where we can engage in combat with other surface vessels. "Thirdly, we are capable of repelling attacks from the air with anti-air missiles to destroy enemy aircraft and fourth, electronic warfare where we have electronic support measures and also electronic warfare to repel cyber attacks,' he said. He said this during a media tour of KD Lekiu in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25) at Resort World Langkawi here, which was also opened for the public starting today. Even more amazingly, the 26-year-old KD Lekiu once sailed on a 100-day voyage from Lumut to Hawaii, then back to Lumut covering a distance of 12,730 nautical miles and carrying out various exercises including firing missiles at real ship targets.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India welcomes UK-Mauritius treaty on Chagos, reaffirms support for sovereignty
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): India on Wednesday welcomed the signing of a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. In a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India described the agreement as a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region. 'We welcome the signing of the treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. The formal resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute through this bilateral treaty is a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region. This is further to the understanding between the two sides reached in October 2024, and marks the culmination of the process of decolonisation of Mauritius in the spirit of international law and rules-based order,' the statement said. India has consistently supported Mauritius's legitimate claim over the Chagos Archipelago, reiterating its position on decolonisation, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The statement added, 'India has consistently supported Mauritius's legitimate claim over the Chagos Archipelago in keeping with its principled position on decolonisation, respect for sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of nations. As a steadfast and longstanding partner of Mauritius, India remains committed to working closely with Mauritius and other like-minded countries to strengthen maritime security and regional stability and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.' Earlier in March, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India's support for Mauritius on the Chagos sovereignty issue, stating, 'We have supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos. And this is obviously in keeping with our longstanding position with regard to decolonisation and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of our other countries. And its only fitting for us to articulate this support for partners such as Mauritius.' Misri emphasised that India had made substantial contributions to Mauritius's maritime safety and security, and highlighted ongoing technical and development cooperation. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's previous visit to Mauritius, several agreements were signed on enhancing maritime security, technical cooperation, ocean observation, and capacity building. India has provided vessels and assistance for maritime surveillance, and supports a range of projects from infrastructure to education, health, and the blue economy. 'These facilities have also been assisting Mauritius in its maritime surveillance and patrolling of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone and in safeguarding the assets of its blue economy ecosystem from traditional and non-traditional maritime challenges,' Misri said. India reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with Mauritius and contributing to the peace and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region, in line with international law and support for decolonisation. (ANI)
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Ministry of Earth Sciences underscores critical role of India's vast marine resources
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched a white paper titled "Transforming India's Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth" in collaboration with its strategic knowledge partner. As the nodal agency for the implementation of the Blue Economy in India, MoES, has been actively working towards enhancing the visibility and effective implementation of blue economy initiatives across the nation. This white paper builds upon these efforts by providing a consolidated framework that aligns government actions, fosters cross-sectoral synergies, and promotes greater investment to unlock the vast potential of India's ocean resources for sustainable and economic development. The report underscores the critical role of India's vast marine resources, including its extensive coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone, as a vital engine for national progress. It highlights the collaborative efforts of 25 ministries, alongside coastal state and union territory initiatives, in driving sustainable growth across various ocean-related sectors. The report builds upon India's G20 Presidency commitments and the Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy, further solidifying its importance within the Viksit Bharat vision for 2047. While acknowledging significant sectoral progress, the white paper emphasises the need for a unified and coordinated approach to overcome existing challenges. It identifies key impediments to growth, limited data sharing, low private investment, and technology gaps, particularly in emerging areas like offshore wind and deep-sea exploration. It highlights pragmatic interventions and highlights scalable and replicable models from across India, including women-led seaweed farming, smart port development, and green ship recycling, demonstrating the potential for achieving both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
