Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has unveiled Pakistan’s first 10-year national action plan for shark conservation to be implemented in three phases by the Marine Fisheries Department.

The National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks will be overseen by a multi-stakeholder National Advisory Committee.

The plan also seeks to improve the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities through targeted support, while encouraging sustainable shark fisheries and greater international cooperation, including through the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.