by
T.Petr
27 McLeod Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350, Australia
Coldwater fish are limited to the higher latitudes of the northern half of Pakistan, where there are high mountains. Exotic brown trout is common in rivers and streams, especially in the Northern Areas, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and in many of them it established self-reproducing populations. Northern Areas have the best potential for hatchery production of rainbow trout, followed by NWFP and AJK. Cold water in Baluchistan and Punjab are limited and with little potential. With the ongoing rehabilitation of old, and construction of new hatcheries, sufficient seed should be available for further expansion in the still small private sector producing table-size rainbow trout. Indigenous fish, mainly schizothoracine carps, support an unknown level of subsistence fishery. The famous game fish mahseer (Tor tor, Tor putitora) and schizothoracines are becoming rare due to overfishing and the disappearance of spawning grounds, submerged by reservoirs such as Tarbela and the planned Ghazi Barotha. Their artificial production in hatchery conditions is yet to be initiated. At present, all coldwater fishery development effort concentrates on rainbow trout production for markets and on maintaining healthy stocks of brown trout in streams and rivers for anglers.
Pakistan, situated between latitudes 24 and 37o N, covers a total area of 803,940 km2 (Fig. 1). Based on the type of landscape, one can distinguish the Northern High Mountainous Region (NHM), the Western Low Mountainous region, the Baluchistan Plateau, The Potwar Uplands, and the plains of Punjab and Sind. The NHM, which covers about 15 percent of the country, has a temperate climate. Three mountain systems - the Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush, extend from the east to the west through the north of the NHM, and part of them form the Pakistan border with Afghanistan and China. In the northern mountains of Pakistan the Indus River receives a number of tributaries, viz. Gilgit, Swat, Kunhar, Neelum and Jhelum. Further downstream, already in the plains, the rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, all of which arise from the Indian Himalayas, join the Indus River from the east.
Waters of the NHM region and of the high-elevation areas of the Western Low Mountainous region are cold and hence can be characterised as cold waters. They harbour coldwater fish species, both native and introduced. The coldwater areas are situated in five administrative areas: the federally administered Northern Areas, the semi-autonomous state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and three provinces, i.e. North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Baluchistan. Each of these administrative areas has its own independent fisheries administration (Department of Fisheries). There is little collaboration among the areas, and hence poor coordination of inland fisheries (Akhtar, 1992).
2.1 Northern Areas (Fig. 2)
Northern Areas are situated between 34.5oN and 37.5oN, and cover 72,496 km2 of entirely mountainous areas with narrow valleys. The average elevation is 4000 m, and there are some of the highest peaks in the world. The Karakoram range contains 19 peaks exceeding 7500 m, including K2 (8611 m), the second highest peak in the world. Large parts of the NA are glaciated. The precipitation is only about 100 mm annually, and air temperatures range from +35oC at 1500 m, to freezing. The area does not receive the monsoon rains.
The water resources consist of the River Indus River and its tributaries, including the Gilgit, Shyok, Shigar, Astore, Hunza, Askoman, Yasin and Ghizer, most of them fed by melting snow and glaciers. The Indus originates in Tibet and enters India at Ladakh, where it is joined by the River Zaskar, before entering Pakistan. Most of the smaller streams and rivers carry clean water and are perennial. Their turbidity increases in summer. Out of the total length of 2100 km of streams and rivers, about 350 km contain brown trout. Out of 33 lakes, 12 are stocked with trout, but most lakes have indigenous fish.
During 1973-1983 seven trout hatcheries (Kaulat, Naltar, Gahkuch, Hosho, Bara, Daril, Karbe) and two experimental trout production centres were established. In the early 1990s, most of them were operational, but some were in need of renovation and modification (Akhtar, 1991). The Kaulat hatchery had a fingerling production capacity of 1 million or more. The experimental trout centres at Khanbury and Kargah were producing about 1 ton of table-size trout per year.
Akhtar (1991) listed twenty five-species of freshwater fish (Table 1) for the Northern Areas, of which 4 (brown trout, rainbow trout, common carp, and goldfish) were introduced, the last species brought in from other provinces of Pakistan. Brown trout has established a self-reproducing population in a number of streams. According to Akhtar, the introduction of mahseer (Tor putitora) into the River Gilgit was not successful. Of the 25 fish species, 12 are considered to be commercially important.
Brown trout is now established in 23 beats of streams and rivers, as well as in 12 lakes out of the existing 33. Rainbow trout is a relatively new addition. It was brought in from NWFP in the early 1980s. It is not yet widely distributed. The North American Kamloop strain of rainbow trout, recently brought in, has been introduced in the streams already stocked with the locally bred non-descript strains of rainbow trout.
Schizothoracines (genera Schizothorax and Schizopyge) or snow trouts are the dominant fish in streams and rivers, with the bulk formed by Schizothorax plagiostomus. The capture fishery is primarily based on this group of fish. The fishery is largely on a subsistence level, with minimal economic benefit. So far no attempt has been made to promote its culture in Pakistan. If a fish is available in the market, it is invariably snow trout.
Table 1. List of fish - Northern Areas (from Akhtar, 1991)
# exotic
Family: Salmonidae |
Family: Cyprinidae |
# Salmo trutta |
# Cyprinus carpio |
# Oncorhynchus mykiss |
# Carassius auratus |
Family: Cyprinidae |
Family: Cobitidae |
Schizothorax intermedius |
Triplophysa choprai |
Schizothorax labiatus |
Triplophysa gracilis |
Schizothorax plagiostomus |
Triplophysa stoliczkai |
Schizopyge curvirostris |
Triplophysa yasinensis |
Schizopyge esocinus |
Triplophysa sp.1 |
Schizopyge longipinnis |
Triplophysa sp.2 |
Schizopygopsis stoliczkai |
|
Schizocypris brucei |
Family: Noemacheilidae |
Dyptichus maculatus |
Noemacheilus semiarmatus |
Ptychobarbus conirostris |
|
Racoma labiata |
Family: Sisoridae |
Glyptosternum reticulatum |
2.2 The Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
AJK is situated in the northeastern part of Pakistan, between 33o and 36o latitude. It covers an area of 13,297 km (Akhtar, 1991a). The state is bounded by Northern Areas in the north, by the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in the east, by North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in the west, and Punjab province in the southwest. It is predominantly mountainous and hilly, with elevations ranging from 360 m in the south to 6325 m in the north. The snowline in winter is around 1200 m while in summer it rises to 3300 m.
The River Jhelum, which arises from Lake Wular in India, is the major river of AJK. In AJK it receives three major tributaries, viz. Neelum, Poonch and Kunhar, the last river having only a negligible stretch in Pakistan before joining the River Jhelum.
The River Neelum (formerly known as Kishanganga) is the largest tributary of the Jhelum and receives a large number of tributaries itself. In summer, most of the inflowing streams are turbid and in flood. The Neelum water temperature ranges from 0 to 12oC. The river and some of its tributaries have been stocked with rainbow and brown trout. However, the indigenous snow trouts dominate the fish stocks. After about 245 km in AJK the Neelum confluences with the Jhelum at Muzaffarabad. Downstream of Muzaffarabad, the water temperature in the Jhelum increases, ranging between 8 to 30oC, until it reaches Mangla Reservoir. The stretch between Muzaffarabad and Mangla already harbours warmwater fish such as Indo-Gangetic major carps, but also mahseer (Tor spp), a popular game fish.
In AJK the River Poonch runs for 85 km before it enters Mangla Reservoir. Its fish stocks are largely warmwater, such as Indo-Gangetic major carps, common carp, and catfishes Aorichthys seenghala, A. aor, and Wallago attu. Schizothoracines have been reported from the upper-most stretch of this river. The river is heavily fished, but no statistics are available.
Two inaccessible lakes are situated in the Neelum Valley: Rattigali Sar (3832 m), and Dherian Sar (3695 m). Reportedly both lakes were stocked with trout.
Akhtar (1991a) has listed 38 indigenous fish species and 7 introduced ones for AJK Table 2). The list includes warmwater fish present in Mangla Reservoir. Due to the wide range of altitudes, AJK experiences a variety of climatic zones, which even allows for the culture of tropical tilapias, two species of which have been introduced experimentally. Among the indigenous coldwater species schizothoracines dominate in hill streams and rivers of mid-hill and the mountainous region. Brown trout is established in the upper reaches of high altitude rivers and streams.
Table 2. List of fish - Azad Jammu and Kashmir (from Akhtar, 1991a)
# exotic
|
Family: Salmonidae |
Family: Cyprinidae |
#Salmo trutta |
Tor putitora |
#Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Tor tor |
|
#Cyprinus carpio |
| #Carassius auratus | |
|
Family: Cyprinidae |
|
Schizothorax esomus |
|
Schizothorax micropogon |
Family: Cobitidae |
Schizothorax plagiostomus |
Aorichthys seenghala |
Crossocheilus latius |
Noemacheilus alepidatus |
Racoma labiata |
Schistura alepidata |
Aspidoparia morar |
Triplophysa kashmirensis |
Barilius vagra |
|
Chella cachius pakistanicus |
Family: Sisoridae |
Catla catla |
Glyptothorax kashmirensis |
Cirrhinus mrigala |
Glyptothorax pectinopterus |
Cirrhinus reba |
Glyptothorax punjabensis |
Esomus danricus |
Glyptothorax stocki |
Garra gotyla |
|
Labeo calbasu |
Family: Schilbeidae |
Labeo dero |
Clupisoma naziri |
Labeo dyocheilus |
|
Labeo gonius |
Family: Siluridae |
Labeo rohita |
Ompok bimaculatus |
Puntius chola |
Ompok pabde |
Puntius sarana |
Wallago attu |
Puntius sophore |
|
Puntius ticto |
Family: Channidae |
Salmostoma bacaila |
Channa punctatus |
Amblypharyngodon mola |
To support the sport/recreational fishery, the Department of Fisheries annually stocks about 2000 fingerlings of brown trout reared in hatcheries. Brown trout was introduced in AJK in 1908, and rainbow trout in the late 1980s, when it was transferred to AJK from NWFP. Rainbow trout did not do well in riverss, where it was released, and in 1987 under the Asian Development Bank Aquaculture Project the Kamloop strain was brought in. Part of the fingerlings were released in rivers, the other part kept in hatcheries to produce broodstock. At present, brown and rainbow trout are stocked in the River Neelum and its inflowing streams Jagran, Shounter and Surgan and a few others, and in QaziNag stream in Leepa Valley. Only licensed anglers are allowed to catch trout, but there is some poaching.
Trout hatcheries are present at Salkhala, Kutan and Dowarian. In total they produce about 0.5 million trout fingerlings. None of these hatcheries produces table fish. In 1991-1992 an UNDP/FAO project assisted with the development of another hatchery at Patika in Neelum Valley, about 15 km upstream of Muzaffarabad. Very good results were achieved there in producing rainbow trout using the Kamloop strain from eyed-eggs imported from Denmark. Although trout culture is feasible in three valleys, i.e. Neelum, Leepa and Jhelum, great stretches of Neelum and Leepa valleys have not been accessible for a number of years because of the tension between India and Pakistan. In the following years, however, the Patika hatchery activities declined, as priority was given to warm-water (common carp) production (FAO, 1995). A team of FAO consultants which visited the area in 1991, identified two other potential sites for trout hatcheries, one at Chak Hama and another at the hill resort Loonbagla. Sites for private trout farming were also identified. However, the team recommended that further developments in coldwater fishery be located preferably in the Northern Areas.
There is no management project for schizothoracine carps. The major constraint is the total lack of research on these fish, with knowledge of their biology and ecology being very fragmentary at present. At present, there is no commercial coldwater fish farm in AJK.
2.3 The North West Frontier Province (NWFP)
NWFP is located in the north of Pakistan, between 31.1o and 37.1oN latitude. The northern part of the province is snowy in winters, and also experiences heavy rainfalls. Its valleys Swat, Kaghan, Chitral and Kohistan are surrounded by rugged mountains and have temperate climate, including cold winters. Rivers in these valleys carry clean cold water and are suitable for trout and schizothoracines (snow trout). Several lakes and reservoirs also provide suitable conditions for coldwater fish. As one moves to south, transitional or semi-cold waters are present, with snow trout and mahseers present. Further south and at lower altitude warmwater fish species prevail.
There is subsistence coldwater capture fishery, but no statistical data are available on its extent. Recreational/sport fishery has been steadily increasing. In 1990 coldwater fish catches were estimated at about 200 t yr-1 (Akhtar, 1992), with the bulk formed by snow trout and indigenous small fish. In the same year Madyan fish farm produced 7.5 t and the private sector about 5 t of trout. With the completion of two more fish farms in Swat and Kaghan, the private sector was expected to produce 50 t by 1993.
Brown trout introduction and subsequent stocking in Kaghan and Chitral at the beginning of the 20th century were very successful. Starting in 1962 at least three schemes initiated the development of trout in five districts, i.e. Mansehra, Swat, Dir, Chitral and Kohistan, resulting in five trout hatcheries. It is estimated that about 40 percent of the total fry produced from these hatcheries are released in various natural water bodies. Sport fishery has promoted tourism and its economic role is well established (Akhtar, 1992). It is recognised that at present the trout industry in NWFP is more advanced than elsewhere in Pakistan. There are now three trout hatcheries in Chitral Valley. The largest trout hatchery-cum-farm is in Madyan in Swat Valley. There is a hatchery at Kalkot in Dir, and the Shinu hatchery in Kaghan, the oldest one in the Province. A new hatchery has been completed at Dobar in Kohistan. Both brown and rainbow trout are produced in the hatcheries.
In 1992 the private sector owned nine trout farms (7 in Swat and 2 in Kaghan), and 4 farms were under construction. In 1992 the private farm production amounted to about 10 t. Private farmers were receiving seed from state-owned hatcheries, but two farmers were developing their own broodstock with the intention of entering into hatchery production as well.
2.3.1 Reservoirs
Tarbela dam is located on the Indus River, 96 km northwest of Islamabad. The reservoir, situated in a V-shaped valley, has two main purposes, i.e. storage of water for irrigation and hydroelectricity production. The upstream part of the reservoir is largely under the influence of the cool waters coming from the Northern Areas and the northern part of NWFP. As a result, it maintains low water temperature throughout the year, while the part of the reservoir closer to the dam, especially its large Khalabat bay, is warmer. The reservoir therefore provides several habitats for fish. During the warm period of the year, the cool Indus water maintains its flow underneath a layer of warm surface water; when the reservoir is full or almost full, the cool water underflow enters the intakes to penstocks, passes through the turbines and is discharged downstream. This results in the presence of cool water some distance below the dam. Water temperature measured 800 m downstream never exceeded 20.5oC, with the minimum temperatures throughout the year being 6.5 to 18.5oC. Due to irrigation and hydroelectricity demands, all live storage of Tarbela is utilised every year, and the maximum drawdown of 76.2 m is usually reached. When full (at 473 m above sea level) the reservoir covers 25,090 ha, at minimum water level 8793 ha. The volume of the reservoirs 14.3 km3, but it discharges 79 km3 yr-1. The retention time is therefore short, with 5.5 volumes of the reservoir water being vacated annually downstream and for irrigation.. The reservoir has an oligotrophic to mesotrophic character, with mean electric conductivity of 140 µmhos, and total dissolved solids 70.7 mg l-1. Water chemical composition (mean values for the summer period) is as follows: Ca - 19.6 mg l-l, Mg - 3.6 mg l-l, Na - 3.0 mg l-l, K - 1.6 mg l-1, HCO3 - 68.9 mg l-1, Cl - 6.0 mg l-1, SO4 - 4.8 mg l-1, SiO2 - 1.35 mg l-1, PO4 - nil, NO3 - 0.2 mg l-1 (Petr, 1985). The low concentrations of dissolved solids are because the reservoir receives monsoon rains and snow and glacier melt water, both of which are poor in dissolved chemical components. During summer the reservoir is strongly thermally stratified, with the surface temperature reaching 32oC in Khalabat bay near the dam, while the deep water in the main stem of the reservoir does not exceed 20oC. The cool temperatures maintained in the upper half of the reservoir throughout the year allow the presence of coldwater fish there.
Prior to impoundment, a survey of the Indus River and its tributaries around Tarbela recorded 35 fish species (Ali et al., 1980) (Table 3), most of which were not popular as food fish. The exceptions were mahseer (Tor mosal and Tor putitora). Schizothorax spp. and Labeo dyocheilus which were common, but not popular. Due to the permanent deep submergence of many natural breeding sites of mahseer in Tarbela Reservoir since its formation in 1974, their recruitment drastically declined. Moreover, breeders migrating upstream into tributaries are indiscriminately fished, and enforcement of protective regulations is difficult.
Table 3. List of fish of the Indus River and its tributaries around Tarbela (from Ali et al.,1980)
Species |
Locality |
|
Family: Notopteridae |
Siran River near Tarbela |
|
Family: Cyprinidae |
|
Amblypharyngodon mola |
Indus River near Attock Fort; Kabul River near Attock |
Aspidoparia morar |
Indus River - Ghazi; Dor River near Chamba Bridge; |
Kabul River near Attock; Haro River near Hasan Abdal | |
and Lawrencepur; Siran River near Thapla Bridge | |
Barilius vagra pakistanicus |
Indus near Tarbela, Ghazi, Attock Fort, Darband; Siran |
River near Thapla Bridge and near Khaki Bridge; Dor | |
River near Chamba Bridge; Unar River near Darband; | |
Kabul River near Attock; Haro River near Hasan Abdal and Lawrencepur; Brandu River near Dagar | |
Chela cachius |
Indus River near Attock Fort, Ghazi and Tarbela |
Crossocheilus latius diplocheilus |
Indus River near Tarbela and Ghazi; Siran River near |
Khaki Bridge; Dor River near Chamba Bridge; Unar | |
River near Darband; Kabul River near Attock; Haro | |
River near Hasan Abdal | |
Danio devario |
Indus River near Attock Fort; Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Garra gotyla |
Indus River near Tarbela and Ghazi |
Labeo dero |
Indus River near Attock Fort; Siran River; Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Labeo dyocheilus |
Kabul River; Indus River |
Puntius sarana |
Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Puntius sophore |
Indus River near Tarbela and Attock Fort; Kabul River near Attock |
Puntius ticto |
Indus River near Tarbela; Dor River near Chamba |
Bridge; Kabul River near Attock; Brandu River near | |
Dagar; Haro River near Hasan Abdal | |
Salmostoma bacaila |
Kabul River near Attock |
Salmostoma punjabensis |
Indus River near Attock Fort |
Schizothorax esocinus |
Indus River near Tarbela |
Schizothorax labiatus |
Indus River near Tarbela and Ghazi; Unar River near |
Darband; Haro River near Hasan Abdal | |
Schizothorax plagiostomus |
Indus River near Tarbela and Ghazi; Siran River near |
Thapla Bridge; Unar River near Oghi and Darband; | |
Haro River near Hasan Abdal | |
Tor mosal |
Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Tor putitora |
Indus River near Tarbela, Ghazi, Attock Fort; Siran |
River near Thapla Bridge and Khaki Bridge; Dor | |
River near Chamba Bridge; Brandu River near Dagar | |
|
Family: Cobitidae |
|
Botia bridi |
Indus River near Tarbela |
Noemacheilus botia |
Indus River near Tarbela; Dor River near Chamba |
Bridge; Haro River near Hasan Abdal | |
Noemacheilus corica |
Indus River near Tarbela; Kabul River near Attock |
Noemacheilus |
Naseeri Unar River near Oghi |
Noemacheilus prashari |
Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Noemacheilus stenurus |
Indus River near Tarbela choprai |
|
Noemacheilus stoliczkai |
Indus River near Tarbela |
|
Family: Sisoridae |
|
Gagata cenia |
Indus River near Ghazi |
Glyptothorax naziri |
Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Glyptothorax punjabensis |
Indus River near Ghazi |
Glyptothorax stocki |
Indus River near Tarbela |
|
Family: Siluridae |
|
Ompok bimaculatus |
Indus River near Attock Fort; Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
|
Family: Schilbeidae |
|
Clupisoma murius naziri |
Indus River near Ghazi |
|
Family: Osphronemidae |
|
Colisa fasciata |
Indus River near Tarbela; Kabul River near Attock |
|
Family: Channidae |
|
Channa punctatus |
Indus River near Ghazi; Haro River near Hasan Abdal |
Channa gachua |
Indus River near Tarbela; Siran River near Thapla |
Bridge and Khaki Bridge; Brandu River near Dagar |
The strategy for enhancing the fish stocks in the reservoir has centred on production of fish seed for stocking. A breeding and rearing centre was established at Ghazi, producing common carp for stocking. The fingerlings are released mostly in the Khalabat bay, which provides good conditions for common carp. Commercial fishery on the reservoir is contracted out by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), but WAPDA (Director of Fisheries) keeps records on catches. During 1981-82 the fish species composition in fish landings was 45% common carp, 54 % mahseer, 1% other fish (Schizothorax spp, Labeo dyocheilus, Mastacembelus ornatus) (Petr, 1985). In the early 1990s, George (1995) listed 35 fish species for the Tarbela, of which the following were the most common: Pseudambassis ranga, Chanda nama, Aspidoparia morar, Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp), Salmostoma bacaila. It is unclear what has happened to the common carp. Silver carp, goldfish, four species of Labeo, and the remaining species were captured only occasionally. Schizothoracines and mahseers were absent in catches clearly showing the negative impact of the reservoir on these coldwater fish stocks. It is, however, still possible that mahseer and schizothoracines are common in the upstream sector of the reservoir, which is much influenced by the inflowing rivers and streams. From those areas no statistics have been collected.
While the number of commercial fishermen employed by a contractor on Tarbela has been increasing, from 175 in 1985-86, to 380 in 1993-94, and there was an increase in the number of boats from 13 to 86 for the same period, the number of angling licences has decreased, from 421 in 1986-87, to 448 in 1993-94. These figures may indicate the declining interest in angling as a result of the poor availability or absence of sport fish such as mahseer. Between 1985 and 1993 the commercial fishery in Tarbela has been stagnating at about 50 to 70 t yr-1 (George, 1995). The jump to 120 t in 1993-94 could have been the result of an intensified stocking of common carp in the previous years. WAPDA is fully committed to a policy of regular stocking of the reservoir, common carp being the dominant stocked fish.
Ghazi Barotha Project, seven kilometres downstream of Tarbela dam, is being built to develop the hydraulic head for the power generation of 1450 MW. A barrage across the Indus River will store the releases from the Tarbela dam, produce electricity, and regulate the water discharge further downstream. WAPDA (not dated) surveyed the project area to assess the possible impacts on the existing fish stocks, and the potential of the Ghazi Reservoir for future fishery development.
The quantity of water flowing in the Indus downstream of Tarbela is completely dependent upon the releases from Tarbela Reservoir through tunnels and spillways, which are governed by the requirements of irrigation, hydropower production and intensity of floods. Water running through braided channels is often turbid, and has oligotrophic character. The present fish fauna of the Indus immediately below the dam, as recorded by the WAPDA (not dated) survey is as follows:
Family Channidae: |
Channa punctatus |
Family Cyprinidae: |
Barilius vagra |
Cirrhinus reba | |
Labeo spp | |
Crossocheilus latius | |
Puntius ticto | |
Salmostoma spp | |
Schizothorax plagiostomus | |
Tor putitora | |
Family Siluridae: |
Ompok bimaculatus |
Family Ambassidae: |
Ambassis spp |
Family Mastacembelidae: |
Mastacembelus armatus |
Only Tor putitora, Schizothorax and Channa are considered of commercial value. Small-sized fish dominate the waters, however. Barilius vagra and Salmostoma breed throughout the downstream area. Labeo rohita (rohu), Cirrhinus mrigala (mori) and common carp (gulfam) are often washed out from the reservoir.
Only about ten fishermen families earn a living from fishing in the area of the Indus to be impounded by the Ghazi Barotha dam. About 20 part-time fishermen also earn some income from fishing, and about 50 anglers visit this area to do recreational fishing. The average catch per fisherman is 10 kg/day, which, at 200 days of fishing, results in approximately 40 t of fish yr-1, to which perhaps another 10 t could be added as captured by anglers. By flooding the area, it is estimated that one could produce about five times more fish in the reservoir and forehead ponds (WAPDA, not dated). Due to the shallowness of the water, the reservoir would be able to accommodate warmwater fish, such as Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The reservoir would probably maintain some of the fish species currently present in the braided channels of the Indus, but the spawning areas of mahseer and schizothoracines would disappear, and with them would also disappear these fish.
Ghazi Barotha barrage was expected to be completed by the end of the 1990s.
2.4 Punjab Province
Higher areas of 1500-2000 m altitude are confined to the north of the Punjab province. The important rivers there are the Haro River and Mohra stream. There is no commercial or subsistence fishing of these waters at present. There is a small trout hatchery-cum-production farm at Masot near Murree, and a trout demonstration unit near Chatter, but both establishments suffer numerous problems (Akhtar, 1992). In 1992, within the framework of Pakistan's Second Aquaculture Development Project, financially assisted by the Asian Development Bank, and initiated in 1991, a consultant was employed to improve the situation.
2.5 Baluchistan Province
The eastern part of Quetta Division in Loralai District (29o37' and 31o27'N), Baluchistan Province, is hilly, with rugged mountains from 1000 to over 3000 m. These mountains are drained by a number of streams of the upper catchment of the Anambar River, and by streams which, through the Suleyman Range, enter the Indus Valley. These streams and rivers are characterised by swift water current, stony bottom, and shallow water of low temperature. The total number of species is low, but each of the 8 species recorded by Mirza and Naik (1966) is quite abundant. The following species were recorded:
Family Cyprinidae: |
Schizothoraichthys labiatus |
Schizocypris brucei | |
Tor putitora | |
Labeo dero | |
Cyprinion irregulare | |
Family Cobitidae: |
Noemacheilus baluchiorum |
Noemacheilus lindbergi | |
Family Sisoridae: |
Glyptothorax sp. |
According to Mirza and Naik (1966), in the 1960s mahseer was a very common fish, growing up to 150 cm length. The second in importance was Labeo dero. Other species were small and of little economic value.
The following considerations are based on Edwards (1991), who assessed the potential for coldwater farming in Pakistan. According to him, Northern Areas have the best conditions and biggest potential for trout farming. Self-sustaining brown trout populations are present in many streams and rivers, and some rivers also contain rainbow, which were first introduced into the Northern Areas in 1978. Locations suitable for trout farming can be found on most of these rivers. In addition to its streams and rivers, the Northern Areas have cold, clear-water lakes, most of which can support trout if stocked. Edwards lists the following lakes: Gasho and Nultar in Gilgit District; Phandar, Shaimal, Matati, Kinis and Shandur in Ghizer; Rama and Pakota in Diamer; Sadpara, Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes, and Sadpara Reservoir in Skardu. According to him, any of these lakes offers good conditions for the development of trout farming in floating cages.
The chief obstacle to development of trout farms in the Northern Areas is poor road access. Therefore, Edwards recommends locating the new hatcheries close to the towns of Gilgit and Skardu. Priority should be given to redeveloping the Hosho trout hatchery at Skardu. Only 6 km distant from Skardu is Sadpara Reservoir, accessible by road. This reservoir covers an area of 4 km2, and it is a tourist destination. The lake supports a good population of both brown and rainbow trout, both of which spawn in the inflowing Sadpara stream. The fishing is regulated by licensing, but poaching using gill nets also takes place. Sadpara appears to be an excellent site for cage culture of rainbow trout.
Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes also have an easy access, with an international hotel situated on the shore of the lower lake. The approximately 25 ha lake is stocked with rainbow fingerlings, and the hotel sells licences to anglers. Upper Kachura Lake, at least 50 ha in area, supports brown trout, and has excellent potential as a site for production of rainbow in cages.
Trout farming developments in the western half of the Northern Areas are best serviced from Gilgit. In the Gilgit area, Edwards (1991) recommended the following trout farms for rehabilitation or for new development.
Kaulot hatchery is close to the town of Gilgit and is situated on the Kargah River. During the spring snow-melt (June-July) silt loading is very high, therefore installation of a filtration system for hatchery water supplies is needed. Other modifications and improvements are also needed to achieve the targeted fingerling production for supplying private and community farms in the Northern Areas, and for supplying yearlings to the government-owned Kargah, Gahkuch and Kanbury units for on-growing to market size.
Kargah trout farm is situated on the Kargah River, 5 km downstream of Kaulot hatchery. It was recommended that this farm be used for on-growing of rainbow yearlings to market size, and as a subsidiary store for broodstock in the Gilgit area. By year 1996 it was expected to produce 4 t of trout per year.
Seven other small Northern Areas trout farms were to achieve the production of 200,000 rainbow fingerlings and 3 t of market fish annually by 1996. These were the following: Daril, Naltar, Gahkuch, Bara and Mehdiabad hatcheries, Karbe farm and Khanbury Fisheries Station.
In comparison with the Northern Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir have relatively few waters which are suitable for development as trout farm sites, or which are able to support good populations of wild trout. Wild populations are known to exist in the River Neelum and its tributaries upstream of Kutan. Here brown trout are able to reproduce and form the basis of a fishery. Rainbows have also been stocked but it is not clear whether these have formed self-sustaining populations. The high-altitude Lake Ratigalli has been stocked with both species, but the lake has a difficult access and little is known of the fate of the fish. Rainbow has been successfully stocked into the Leepa River, a tributary of the Neelum, and it is fished by local residents and army personnel. During 1991-92 a FAO/UNDP project intended to assist with the upgrading and further development of four trout farms at Kutan, Dowarian and Salkhala in Neelum Valley, but due to the difficult security situation and three of them being located in the restricted zone, progress was made only at Patika.
Edwards (1991), when attempting to identify suitable trout sites outside the Neelum area, came to the conclusion that long-term potential, both for commercial trout farming and for development of sport fisheries of these species, must be regarded as much more modest than in the Northern Areas: probably less than 10%. He identified Chinari River (also known as QasiNag or Katahi), a tributary of the River Jhelum, as having the best prospect for trout farm development in AJK outside the Neelum Valley. A small hatchery could also be established in the Chikar Valley. The Patika hatchery, close to Muzaffarabad in the Neelum Valley, and constructed and brought into production during the FAO/UNDP project in 1991-2, when upgraded, was expected to produce 150,000 fingerlings annually by 1996. It was reported by Edwards (1991) that there was a strong interest in small-scale private or community-owned trout farms, which would generally concentrate on fish production for markets.
North West Frontier Province is considered second only to the Northern Areas for the development of trout farming, with the industry there more advanced than elsewhere in Pakistan. In 1991 there were 7 operating hatcheries owned by the government: Shinu, Madyan, Kalkon, Jahkor, Bambarit, Aquaculture, Dobar. The hatcheries produce a steady supply of fingerlings for on-growing in government farms, for sale to the private sector, and for release to enhance wild populations. Madyan hatchery has been a centre for training of government and aspiring private trout farmers in NWFP. The training, as well as re-development of Shinu hatchery in the Kaghan Valley, was being implemented under the Second Pakistan Aquaculture Development Project, financed by a loan from the Asian Development Bank (Edwards, 1991). In summer 1991 there were nine registered private trout farms in NWFP, with a total capacity of 40 t.
Edwards (1991) considers Punjab to be generally too warm to support trout. The trout farm constructed in the Murree hills at Masote has an inadequate water supply.
Edwards (1991) came to the conclusion that brown trout have already established thriving self-sustaining populations in most of the suitable waters available. Especially in the Northern Areas, rivers and streams contain large numbers of browns of all sizes. It is therefore probable that restocking with this species is unnecessary and of no value, except perhaps in lakes which have no suitable spawning streams. Brown trout are also generally not suitable for commercial farming because their growth is slow compared with rainbows. He recommended concentrating on fish farming of rainbow trout only. While for Northern Areas, where waters are often cold, Norwegian domesticated strains could be tried, in AJK, where high summer water temperature may be a problem, the best would be the Kamloop strain from North America.
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