LAHORE  - Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar said that fish despite being healthy source of food is facing threat due to indiscriminate throwing of waste in natural water.
He regretted that there is no water treatment before its influx into water natural bodies. He was addressing opening session of First International FEEDing Pakistan Aquaculture Conference held at a local hotel on Wednesday.
Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, UVAS Vice Chancellor, Dr Michael Schwarz, President of World Aquaculture Society, and R Shahnawaz Janjua, Country Representative, American Soybean Association& World Initiative for Soy In Human Health also addressed the conference.
The Punjab Governor expressed pleasure that Feeding Pakistan project has brought aquaculture technical experts to Pakistan and sent three teams of Pakistani fish farmers to the United States for technical training. He said the countrymen would hear the results of fish feeding trials held on working fish farms in Pakistan. As part of the project, he said a Pakistan feed manufacturer installed proper equipment to make soy-based floating fish feed.
Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of Agriculture in the world, he said, adding that the oceans, rivers, lakes and dams have been and are still the major sources of fish for inhabitants of the country as well as for export. He appreciated American Soya Association for addressing the food security of Pakistan.
Sarwar said the government was pleased to work with the United States Department of Agriculture and its co-operators like ASA, WISHH, Kansas State University, SoyPak, and other organisation like FAO, World Aquaculture Society to strengthen the Institutional Collaborations for the sustainable growth of Aquaculture Sector of Pakistan. The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore is producing under-graduate and postgraduate students for Aquaculture Sector of the country and conducting problem oriented research in collaboration allied industry and donor agencies and I am glad to know that UVAS is joining hands with the organisers for success of this important event, Sarwar said.
Dr Michael Schwarz, President of World Aquaculture Society said through its commitment to excellence in science, technology, education and information exchange would contribute to progressive and sustainable development o aquaculture especially in Pakistan.
Dr Shah Nawaz Janjua said there is lot of potential in Pakistan to promote aquaculture and even farmers can make their own brands to reap huge benefits. Janjua said that the local farmers needed proper training and the last session of the conference would be on Thursday.