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Gillnet fishing operations are the only method of exploitation of tuna and tuna-like species in the coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan. Pakistan has a fleet of about 700 tuna gillnet vessels, which are primarily based in two major landing centres (Karachi and Gwadar) along the coast of Pakistan. The main target species of these vessels are yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, longtail tuna, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (kingfish), marlins (black, blue, and striped), and sailfish, whereas queenfish, dolphinfish, and coastal tunas (kawakawa, frigate, and bullet tunas) are mainly caught as opportunistic species. Tuna species are not locally consumed and mainly transported to neighbouring countries. Prevailing prices in Karachi Fish Harbour is usually about 30 to 50 % less than prices in Gwadar. Despite low prevailing tuna prices, Karachi Fish Harbour appears to be attractive to tuna gillnet vessels because of facilities for repair and maintenance, transportation, proximity to important fishing grounds on the vast continental shelf, and the supply of inputs; however, fuel prices are much higher. It was common practice for smuggled fuel to be readily available at sea aboard other fishing vessels and dedicated supply vessels. Gwadar, located near the neighbouring country, is also an attractive and important operational base because of the availability of cheap fuel prices, as well as usually high but fluctuating prices for tuna and tuna-like products.
