The discovery of an alien fish in Sukkur has once again highlighted our policy gaps when it comes to marine life. An Amazon sailfin catfish was recently brought to Karachi Fish Harbour after locals were unable to identify it. In a statement, WWF-Pakistan said the catfish is among at least 26 invasive fish species that have entered the country’s rivers and lakes through poorly regulated trade. Native to Latin America and popular in the global aquarium market, the species has already spread across parts of Sindh and lower Punjab. This raises alarm bells. Invasive fish are known to outcompete native species, degrade habitats, introduce disease and destabilise entire aquatic ecosystems. Pakistan’s fisheries sector is already plagued with irregularities, where excessive fishing and the use of trawlers have created challenges. On top of this, freshwater systems here are already under stress from pollution, water scarcity and climate change. The unchecked spread of invasive species adds another layer of risk that could not only threaten biodiversity but also undermine fisherfolk’s livelihoods and inflict long-term economic damage. In the long term, these challenges could affect food security and lead to income losses nationwide.
The troubling trend here is the leniency shown by authorities. It is disappointing that the import of fish for aquaculture and aquarium trade continues without proper quarantine facilities or effective monitoring. Multiple institutions share responsibility, yet coordination remains weak. As a result, Pakistan is forced to do what it always does: adopt reactionary policies as it loses time and room for prevention techniques. WWF-Pakistan’s call for vigilance and quarantine measures should be taken seriously. Environmental degradation here is often discussed in terms of floods, heatwaves and air pollution. Invasive species receive far less attention, despite their capacity to cause irreversible ecological damage. What is even more frustrating in Pakistan’s case is that our policymakers are not unaware of the challenges, as our policies suggest that our decision-makers have discussed these issues. We woefully lack in implementing our action plans. Amid discussions on the blue economy, the country must implement all necessary measures to protect its freshwater systems. There should be proper training of local fisherfolk to help them spot invasive species and make better arrangements to keep them away. The relevant authorities must realise that without tighter regulation of exotic species, proper quarantine infrastructure and accountability across institutions, Pakistan risks allowing an ecological crisis to unfold unnoticed.
