AN ASSESSMENT OF MOLLUSCAN FISHERIES OF PAKISTAN WITH FUTURE PROSPECTS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This presentation is concerned with evaluation of prospects of molluscan fisheries development in Pakistan. Pakistan’s marine resources have not been completely exploited to undertake its economic development These have been underestimated. Need of the hour is that focus of fishery development is extended to the promotion of research and aquaculture activities directed towards the marine resources like molluscs such as Mussels, Oysters, Cockles, Scallops, Clams, Razor clams, Blood clams, Fan shells, Pearl oysters, Window pane Oysters, Gastropods and Cephalopods. Along the coast of Pakistan, mussels are found in substantial quantities at localities such as Karachi’s Harbour associated creeks; Manora; Sandspit, Paradise point and along the Balochistan coast such as Cape Monz; Gaddani; Ormara; ( Pedi Zurand Demi Zur); Taq Sakoni; Astola Island; Shadi Khor; Ras Juddi; Ras zarrin; Sur; Gawadar; Ganz; Garrian and Jiwani. Futher to that, Pakistan’s coastal waters have been found to rich with nine species of oysters such as Crassostrea gryphoides, Crassostrea madrasensis, Crassostrea belchers, Crassostrea glomerata, Saccostrea Cuculatta, Sechinata, Ostrea nomades, O.folium and O.cristagali. In addition to that, Eight species of Cockles belonging to genera such as Cardium, Trachy Cardium, Cardita and Beguina are known to exist along the coast of Pakistan. Further to that, seven species of scallops consisting of two genera such as Pecten and Chlamys are reported from infralittoral zone of Pakistani coastal waters along Manora; Ormara ( Pedi Zur); Taq; Ras Juddi; Astola Island and Jiwani. Furthermore, Sixty eigth species of clams belong to family veneridae are reported from Pakistan coast such as Tivela ponderosa, Meretrix tumida, M. meretrix, M. casta var ovum, Lioconona picta, Circe scripta, Hemitapes pinguis, Papha malabarica, P. textile, Gafrarium divaricatum, Marcia cor, Marcia marmorata and Callista erycina.