Pakistan’s fish and seafood exports recorded a sharp increase in the first quarter of FY2026-27, with export earnings reaching $125.4 million compared with $93.28 million in the same period last year.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the increase reflects the growing economic potential of Pakistan’s fisheries sector as the country looks to expand its blue economy.

Seafood export volumes have also risen significantly over the past three years.

Pakistan exported 61,679 metric tons of fish and seafood during the first quarter of FY2026-27, compared with 43,995 metric tons in the same period of FY2025-26 and 35,294 metric tons in FY2024-25.

The latest figure represents a 74.8 percent increase in export volume over the three-year period.

Chaudhry said the fisheries sector remains an important source of income for coastal communities while also generating foreign exchange through exports of fish and other marine products.

The Marine Fisheries Department recorded its highest-ever export earnings of $568 million in FY2025-26, while Pakistani fisheries products also gained access to new international markets, including Russia.

The minister said efforts are also underway to resume shrimp exports to the United States and revive the fishing licensing system in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

He stressed that institutional, technical and capacity-related issues need to be addressed to further increase seafood exports, particularly to major markets such as the European Union.

Chaudhry also called for the revival of the Fisheries Training Centre under the Marine Fisheries Department to improve workforce skills, technical standards and compliance with international seafood safety requirements.