Pakistan to track 10,000 fishing boats nationwide

Islamabad: The federal government has finalized a plan to install Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) on fishing boats to strengthen maritime security and improve monitoring of activities at sea. Under the initiative, approximately 10,000 fishing boats from Sindh and Balochistan will be integrated into a digital tracking network. In the first phase, 8,000 boats, including 4,000 from each province, will receive tracking devices at government expense. Officials say the system will enable real-time vessel monitoring, improve emergency response capabilities, and help combat illegal fishing, smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The project is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s blue economy and enhance security across coastal waters. Can digital monitoring transform maritime governance and fisheries management in Pakistan?