KARACHI: The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) has warned that the unchecked introduction of exotic fish species poses a serious and growing threat to Pakistan’s aquatic biodiversity and fisheries economy, urging the government to enforce strict monitoring and establish quarantine facilities for imported fish.
The warning followed the recent discovery of an unusual fish at Karachi Fish Harbour, brought from Sukkur, which initially went unidentified by fisheries officials. WWF-P later confirmed the species as the Amazon sailfin catfish—an invasive fish native to Latin America and commonly traded worldwide as an aquarium species.
According to WWF-P, the Amazon sailfin catfish has already spread across Sindh and parts of lower Punjab after being accidentally introduced into natural water bodies. Characterised by its thick, armoured body covered with bony plates, the species is among at least 26 invasive fish species that have entered Pakistan either deliberately or unintentionally.
“These invasive species are causing significant harm to Pakistan’s aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting native fish for food and habitat, preying on indigenous species, spreading diseases, and altering natural environments,” WWF-P said in its statement. The organisation warned that such disruptions can lead to biodiversity loss, declining fisheries productivity, increased water turbidity, and even ecosystem collapse, resulting in serious economic losses for commercial fisheries.
WWF-Pakistan emphasised that invasive fish species now represent one of the most serious threats to rivers, streams, and lakes across the country. In recognition of this risk, the organisation has ensured that invasive species are included as a potential national threat in the recently revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The organisation has called on the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and the Animal Quarantine Department, under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, to maintain strict vigilance over fish imports. WWF-P also stressed the urgent need to establish proper quarantine facilities for fish brought into Pakistan for aquaculture and the aquarium trade to prevent further ecological damage.
