Pakistan’s Space Policy Aims to Revolutionize Marine and Coastal Resource Management
In a bid to harness the potential of space technology for economic growth and national security, Pakistan has unveiled a comprehensive space policy that focuses on leveraging marine and coastal resources. The policy, approved on December 13, 2023, charts a progressive course for utilizing space applications in various sectors to achieve development objectives.
With a coastline of 1001km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning 240,000 sq.km, Pakistan is endowed with diverse coastal and marine resources that have the potential to significantly boost the country’s economy. However, the untapped nature of these resources due to a lack of policy direction and technology has hindered their exploitation.
The space policy envisions the use of remote sensing technology to assess coastal and marine resources, map coastal configuration, identify aquaculture and fishing sites, monitor coast erosion, and much more. By employing satellite imagery, Pakistan can overcome the limited scientific knowledge regarding marine resources and effectively manage them for sustainable development.
In the marine fishing sector, which directly employs 400,000 people and indirectly supports 1 million, geospatial data and tools like Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and Automated Identification System (AIS) can be utilized to track fishing vessels, quantify fishing efforts, and detect illegal fishing activities. Additionally, satellite technology can provide valuable insights into oceanography, mapping ocean floors, forecasting extreme weather events, and studying climate change indicators like ocean acidification and sea-level rise.
Furthermore, satellite technology can optimize navigation for ships, enhance coastal mapping through Bathymetry, revolutionize resource exploration in creeks areas, and monitor coastal hazards like shoreline erosion. By developing indigenous satellite navigation capabilities and drawing a tangible roadmap for the effective use of space technology in marine and coastal resource management, Pakistan can unlock the vast potential of its maritime sector.
The integration of space technology into the management of marine and coastal resources not only promises economic growth but also ensures sustainable development and national security for Pakistan. As the country embarks on this transformative journey into space, the possibilities for leveraging space technology in various sectors are endless, paving the way for a brighter future for Pakistan’s marine and coastal resources.