Swat trout fish industry booming again

[ghazi52]

Swat trout fish industry booming again
April 01, 2018

A man works at a trout fish farm in Madyan Swat.

After years of recession the fishing industry in Swat is booming again with the fisheries department claiming that the production of trout fish would soon surge to 240,000 kilogramme annually and Swat would become one of the highest trout producing districts in the country.

During the Swat insurgency period from 2007 to 2009 most of the trout fish farm owners left their business as they said the militants would demand trout fish free of cost and they lost huge money. However, the 2010 floods wreaked havoc on the fishing industry, washing away the fish farms along with destroying natural fish fauna of all types of fishes in Swat River and all other smaller rivers and streams.

“The floods destroyed all the 27 trout fish farms along with natural breeding and feeding grounds of Swat and other local fish in the Swat River and all the tributaries, streams and lakes,” assistant director fisheries, Ibrar Ahmad, told Dawn. He said that the total production of trout fish before 2010 was estimated at 50 tonnes.

He said that the floods also destroyed the lone government hatchery located at Chail Madyan.

Private fish farm owners in Swat said that the years from 2007 to 2010 proved bad for them as during the militancy their business activities halted because tourists stopped visiting Swat and majority of the militants took trout fish without paying money.

Khurshaid Alam, a trout fish farm owner at Biha village in Matta tehsil who has been connected with the business since 2004, said that till 2007 his farm was profitable, but after that during insurgency period militants would take trout fish from his farm free of cost which resulted in heavy financial losses for him.

“During the militancy I suffered Rs2.50 million losses as Taliban did not pay a single penny to me. When normalcy returned after military operation in 2009 and no sooner did I take a sigh of relief that the flood washed away my entire farm worth Rs4 million in 2010, leaving me penniless,” he told this correspondent.

However, with the help of USAID and fisheries department his fish farm was rehabilitated in 2011 and he was also provided trout fish seeds and feeds with all other equipment. “Now my business has been successfully revived and my small fish farm produces about 13,000 kilogramme trout fish annually,” he said.

Swat valley has great potential for trout fish and more and more people are trying their luck in the business. According to people in Kalam, the first survey for trout fish was conducted during the former Swat state in which the area from Madyan up to Kalam, Utror, Gabral, Matiltan and Usush was termed the most suitable for trout fish farming.

“The first successful experiment was conducted in 1953 to breed trout fish in Swat River and since then the production has been on the rise. In our area, for both the trout fish farms owners and those who catch them in the river it is the major source of income,” said Shamsul Haq, a resident of Kalam who at first used to catch trout fish in the river, but recently established two trout fish farms and intended to establish more.

The 2010 floods had destroyed all the 27 trout fish farms along with the natural breeding and feeding grounds of fish in the Swat River and all its tributaries and lakes, says fisheries official Ibrar Ahmad

He said that the trout fish in Kalam and upper belt was famous for its taste and it was used as a gift. “We used to catch trout fish in the Swat River with rod whenever special guests came to us,” he said. He said that there were more than 100 glacial lakes in Swat and these were the most suitable sites for trout fish where the government must carry out stocking activities. Of late, the fish industry saw a gradual uplift because both the governmental and non-governmental sectors invested in the industry.

Assistant director fisheries Ibrar Ahmad said that with the USAID funding the 26 trout fish farms which were destroyed by the floods were rehabilitated while the government rehabilitated its own hatchery. “At least 26 trout fish farms have been constructed by the government after 2010 floods taking the number of such farms to 52,” he said.

He added that a project titled “Development of Farm Fisheries in KP” has been launched by the provincial government on 50/50 public-private partnership and under which construction work was underway on 35 trout fish farms. About 10 of these farms are near completion,” he said.

Similarly, construction work on 29 more such farms would soon be initiated under the public-private partnership by the provincial government.

Mr Ahmad said that the total number of trout fish farms in Swat would reach to 116 taking the annual production from presently 6,000kg to 240,000kg. “It will generate Rs204 million as an annual revenue. Thus trout fish industry will become the third cash crop after fruit and vegetables in Swat,” he said.

He said that a fish biodiversity centre had recently been completed at Nagoha area which would soon start working on breeding Swati fish, trout and carp along with Mahaseer in the centre. “It is the first centre of Pakistan where breeding of warm water fish, cold water fish and semi-cold water fish in different seasons of the year will be carried out,” he said.

According to the fisheries department, Swat is famous for brown trout and rainbow trout. “In hatchery we rear rainbow trout and in natural water bodies we rear brown trout. In the entire Asia, Swat valley has got uniqueness that Kamloop trout can easily be reared here which is one of the types of rainbow trout and is bigger and more expensive than the normal trout,” he said.

Mr Ahmad said that extensive gravel mining and disposal of drain water in the Swat River had also badly affected the natural breeding and feeding grounds for fish which must be controlled.

Trout Fish Farm Madyan

Trout Fish Farm at Madyan is one of the biggest trout hatchery in Pakistan. Its located on the Chail road Madyan Swat. Swati Trout Fish is very famous for its taste. There are two types of trout species in this farm one is common trout and one is brown trout. Brown trout is very delicious but its little bit expensive from the common one.

At Trout Fish Farm Madyan there is a park and restaurant where fresh trout fish are available for guests.

 

[ghazi52]

The paper gives the history of the introductions of brown trout and culture of rainbow trout in North West Frontier Province and Northern Areas of Pakistan. There are 738 km of rivers with trout, 8 state run hatcheries, 18 private hatcheries and 28 private trout farms, the estimated production of which is 162 120 tons per year.

1. INTRODUCTION

Pakistan is a country of a great variety of landscapes and environmental conditions. This variety of habitats is especially remarkable in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). In addition, there is a critical constrast between winter and summer seasons. The rivers and streams are deep or shallow, clear or muddy, cold or warm, fast or slow and may have stony, sandy or muddy bottom and rich or scanty vegetation along the banks. Suitable species were designed by nature itself for this region (Butt, 1994).

The trout fishery of Pakistan prevails particularly in the NWFP and Northern Areas, where two species of trout, though exotic in origin, have established themselves in rivers of this province. They are brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

2. BROWN TROUT (Salmo trutta)

The species was introduced in Gilgit from Europe by political officers in 1916. It has large scales, thickly spotted dark and red spots on the sides. The body is short but stout, suitable altitude for its culture is about 1 000 m above sea level. The fish becomes adult after two years and breeds in natural waters. In hatcheries it can be made to spawn by stripping which is quite successful. Its fecundity is about 1 500 eggs. Due to low temperature, its incubation period extends from 40 to 70 days. In Saif-ul-Maluk Lake (Kaghan Valley) the fish has reached 7 kg. Trout is a tasty fish, sometimes considered a delicacy. It is also a game fish caught with zeal by anglers. It usually reaches a total length of about 45 cm. Being carnivorous, the fish feeds upon a variety of aquatic animals including small fish (Ahmad and Niazi, 1988).

The major districts in federally administered Northern Areas are Gilgit and Skardu. The major fishery of this area is brown trout. It was introduced there in 1908. Now it is established, mainly supporting sport fishing (Lone, 1983). According to Hussain (1965), trout in Gilgit was first introduced in 1916 and has been established there since then. In 1963 more eyed ova were introduced from the Shinu hatchery, Kagan Valley, hatched and also established a fish stock.

Trout culture began in NWFP in 1928, when brown trout was first brought from Kashmir and kept in a nursery tank in the Shinu hatchery. In 1930 it was introduced in Swat and Chitral by H.R. Hay, Political Agent, Malakand, and by Captain B. Woods Ballard, Assistant Political Agent, Chitral, respectively, but did not succeed as the total stock died. Later some efforts were made again in both areas but could not achieve the objectives. Thereafter the matter was dropped for seven years. In 1946 Maj. B. H. Cobb, Political Agent, Gilgit, initiated more introductions with about 120 adult brown trout stocked directly in the Lutkoh River, Chitral. They self-reproduced and established a good population. At present this valley is unique for trout angling. Introductions elsewhere, including Swat, were unsuccessful. Interest in trout was revived in 1960 when a fully fledged project was approved and implemented by the Fisheries Department of the NWFP. In 1961, a trout hatchery was constructed at Madyan, Swat, and trout were imported from Kaghan. The first breeding was conducted in January 1962 and the resultant fry were stocked in the upper reaches of the Swat River, which proved successful (Naveed, 1994).

There are brown trout hatcheries at Hosho, Kargah and Chilas in Gilgit and Skardu areas.

3. RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rearing of this fish is easier than that of brown trout. It can tolerate a higher water temperature, is less carnivorous and grows faster. Its hatching time is 33 days (Hussain, 1994). It sometimes escapes from culture and enters open waters (Hussain, 1997). Rainbow trout was first introduced in NWFP during 1928 (ADB, 1984).

In view of the great potential for further increase of trout culture, a consignment of 20 000 eyed ova of rainbow trout were imported from Japan in 1973. Later on during 1984-85 and 1986, 500 000 eggs of the Kamloop strain of rainbow trout were imported from the USA under the Pakistan Aquaculture Development trout farming project in NWFP. Most of the resultant fry were kept in the raceways for growing to table size and some of these were restocked in various water bodies. This built a sustained population in the rivers, streams and lakes of the northern districts (Naveed, 1994). The resources and trout hatcheries/farms in NWFP and Northern Areas are presented in Tables 1-3.


Small trout are fed liver, ground to very fine particles, and also chicken eggs made into a thin paste using the yolk. A trout feed is being used for trout culture at NWFP trout hatcheries. The feed formula is given in Table 4.

4. IMPACT OF TROUT FISHERY

Trout fishing is not only a part of the integrated development strategy of northern districts of NWFP but is also an essential source of recreation in these areas. Trout fishery as a sport has contributed a lot to the economy of local communities in the northern districts through the tourist trade. Direct and indirect economic benefits are accrued from trout fishing by tourists in Kaghan, Swat and Chitral and the number of anglers is steadily increasing.. Consequently the local residents directly benefit and their income is increasing (Table 5).

5. TROUT IN QUETTA

Trout was introduced to Quetta from Kaghan in 1953. Since then the nearby Karez reservoir and other waters have been regularly stocked with fry and fingerling obtained from the local hatchery at Urruk. It has been suggested to introduce trout culture in Ziarat Valley.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS

Based upon the observation made at the Madyan Trout Hatchery, Swat, rainbow trout have a better potential than brown trout. It is better growing, tolerates crowding and water temperature fluctuations well.

....

https://www.facebook.com/Trout-Fish-Farming-in-Swat-Pakistan-260582160618783/

 

[ghazi52]

Swat to soon become lucrative market for trout

MINGORA: Officials of the fisheries department have claimed that production of trout fish will soon surge to 240,000 kilogrammes annually and will become the third most revenue earning business after fruit and vegetable in the Swat valley.

They said the increase in production of trout would make the Swat valley one of the largest markets for trout in the country because of the cold water of the Swat River and suitable environment.

“Presently 63 trout fish farms produce 60,000kg fish annually while work on establishment of 63 more farms is underway which will soon be completed. The total production of trout fish will reach to 240,000kg annually soon,” Ibrar Ahamd, assistant director fisheries department, Swat, said, adding that it would earn Rs204 million per annum.

However, he said proper marketing was the major issue for trout in Swat and the government should work on that.

“More than 70 per cent tourists eat trout fish in the valley as it is famous for its quality and taste while a huge quantity is transported to hotels across the country,” Usman Ali, an owner of a trout fish farm in Madyan, said.

Chail valley in Madyan is known for trout fish farming where large number of tourists visit to eat it and also to take it to their homes.

“Whenever we visit Swat we go to Chail valley to enjoy trout fish because eating fry fish in a cool and scenic environment makes our trip delicious and memorable,” Akbar Aman, a tourist from Mardan who was eating trout fish with his family in Chail valley, said.

Meanwhile, Swat Deputy Commissioner Amer Afaq and officials of fisheries department released over 60,000 baby trout fish into the Swat River and other small rivers to increase its number in the valley.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afaq said fish farming in the district was being promoted so that more and more people got connected with the business thus, boosting tourism and creating job opportunities for local people. He said private fish farming was also being encouraged by the government.

 

[Kabira]

“During the militancy I suffered Rs2.50 million losses as Taliban did not pay a single penny to me. When normalcy returned after military operation in 2009 and no sooner did I take a sigh of relief that the flood washed away my entire farm worth Rs4 million in 2010, leaving me penniless,” he told this correspondent.

Mine the border as soon as possible. Talies don't even like to pay for food, that's bad for business.

 

[volatile]

Yummmy

 

[ghazi52]

https://www.facebook.com/

Soq Valley Kachura Skardu
Yesterday

Safari Trout Fishing Club
in Safari Resort Soq Valley Kachura Skardu...
Available Trout Fish
Contact:
0346-8483158

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Looks like a great place to bring a gori for a date

Swat trout fish industry booming again
April 01, 2018

A man works at a trout fish farm in Madyan Swat.

After years of recession the fishing industry in Swat is booming again with the fisheries department claiming that the production of trout fish would soon surge to 240,000 kilogramme annually and Swat would become one of the highest trout producing districts in the country.

During the Swat insurgency period from 2007 to 2009 most of the trout fish farm owners left their business as they said the militants would demand trout fish free of cost and they lost huge money. However, the 2010 floods wreaked havoc on the fishing industry, washing away the fish farms along with destroying natural fish fauna of all types of fishes in Swat River and all other smaller rivers and streams.

“The floods destroyed all the 27 trout fish farms along with natural breeding and feeding grounds of Swat and other local fish in the Swat River and all the tributaries, streams and lakes,” assistant director fisheries, Ibrar Ahmad, told Dawn. He said that the total production of trout fish before 2010 was estimated at 50 tonnes.

He said that the floods also destroyed the lone government hatchery located at Chail Madyan.

Private fish farm owners in Swat said that the years from 2007 to 2010 proved bad for them as during the militancy their business activities halted because tourists stopped visiting Swat and majority of the militants took trout fish without paying money.

Khurshaid Alam, a trout fish farm owner at Biha village in Matta tehsil who has been connected with the business since 2004, said that till 2007 his farm was profitable, but after that during insurgency period militants would take trout fish from his farm free of cost which resulted in heavy financial losses for him.

“During the militancy I suffered Rs2.50 million losses as Taliban did not pay a single penny to me. When normalcy returned after military operation in 2009 and no sooner did I take a sigh of relief that the flood washed away my entire farm worth Rs4 million in 2010, leaving me penniless,” he told this correspondent.

However, with the help of USAID and fisheries department his fish farm was rehabilitated in 2011 and he was also provided trout fish seeds and feeds with all other equipment. “Now my business has been successfully revived and my small fish farm produces about 13,000 kilogramme trout fish annually,” he said.

Swat valley has great potential for trout fish and more and more people are trying their luck in the business. According to people in Kalam, the first survey for trout fish was conducted during the former Swat state in which the area from Madyan up to Kalam, Utror, Gabral, Matiltan and Usush was termed the most suitable for trout fish farming.

“The first successful experiment was conducted in 1953 to breed trout fish in Swat River and since then the production has been on the rise. In our area, for both the trout fish farms owners and those who catch them in the river it is the major source of income,” said Shamsul Haq, a resident of Kalam who at first used to catch trout fish in the river, but recently established two trout fish farms and intended to establish more.

The 2010 floods had destroyed all the 27 trout fish farms along with the natural breeding and feeding grounds of fish in the Swat River and all its tributaries and lakes, says fisheries official Ibrar Ahmad

He said that the trout fish in Kalam and upper belt was famous for its taste and it was used as a gift. “We used to catch trout fish in the Swat River with rod whenever special guests came to us,” he said. He said that there were more than 100 glacial lakes in Swat and these were the most suitable sites for trout fish where the government must carry out stocking activities. Of late, the fish industry saw a gradual uplift because both the governmental and non-governmental sectors invested in the industry.

Assistant director fisheries Ibrar Ahmad said that with the USAID funding the 26 trout fish farms which were destroyed by the floods were rehabilitated while the government rehabilitated its own hatchery. “At least 26 trout fish farms have been constructed by the government after 2010 floods taking the number of such farms to 52,” he said.

He added that a project titled “Development of Farm Fisheries in KP” has been launched by the provincial government on 50/50 public-private partnership and under which construction work was underway on 35 trout fish farms. About 10 of these farms are near completion,” he said.

Similarly, construction work on 29 more such farms would soon be initiated under the public-private partnership by the provincial government.

Mr Ahmad said that the total number of trout fish farms in Swat would reach to 116 taking the annual production from presently 6,000kg to 240,000kg. “It will generate Rs204 million as an annual revenue. Thus trout fish industry will become the third cash crop after fruit and vegetables in Swat,” he said.

He said that a fish biodiversity centre had recently been completed at Nagoha area which would soon start working on breeding Swati fish, trout and carp along with Mahaseer in the centre. “It is the first centre of Pakistan where breeding of warm water fish, cold water fish and semi-cold water fish in different seasons of the year will be carried out,” he said.

According to the fisheries department, Swat is famous for brown trout and rainbow trout. “In hatchery we rear rainbow trout and in natural water bodies we rear brown trout. In the entire Asia, Swat valley has got uniqueness that Kamloop trout can easily be reared here which is one of the types of rainbow trout and is bigger and more expensive than the normal trout,” he said.

Mr Ahmad said that extensive gravel mining and disposal of drain water in the Swat River had also badly affected the natural breeding and feeding grounds for fish which must be controlled.

Trout Fish Farm Madyan

Trout Fish Farm at Madyan is one of the biggest trout hatchery in Pakistan. Its located on the Chail road Madyan Swat. Swati Trout Fish is very famous for its taste. There are two types of trout species in this farm one is common trout and one is brown trout. Brown trout is very delicious but its little bit expensive from the common one.

At Trout Fish Farm Madyan there is a park and restaurant where fresh trout fish are available for guests.

 

[Rafi]

Looks like a great place to bring a gori for a date

veni vidi vici i

 

[Imran Khan]

can we ban fishing for 5 years on all rivers and grow millions of fishes and free them in rivers ?

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Rivers barely have water.
Saw Ravi on my last visit looks like a creek.
India is violating water treaties and we are sitting on our behinds waiting for miracles to happen.

can we ban fishing for 5 years on all rivers and grow millions of fishes and free them in rivers ?