100-acre mariculture estate planned at Korangi harbour

Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has presented a proposal for a 100-acre Mariculture Investment and Development Estate (MIDE) inside the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA). According to The Express Tribune, the minister described the site at a briefing, saying it would bring together marine farming, aquaculture, hatcheries, research, processing, commercial services and cold storage under one development framework.

The concept master plan lays out four zones: 30 acres for mariculture, while a hatchery, an aqua research park and a commercial district each get 20-acre plots. Advanced aquatic seed output is slated for the hatchery area, whereas the research park will offer training and innovation facilities. The layout also covers hospitality and commercial space, cold storage, an internal road network, renewable energy, water treatment and surveillance.

Chaudhry said the initiative aims to attract investment, raise exports, generate employment and promote technology as part of the blue economy. He added that modern marine infrastructure is essential for coastal communities. Under the concept plan, KoFHA would serve as the host institution for the scheme.