Pakistan exported 103,277 tons of fish and seafood during first three quarters of the fiscal year 2016-17 with a total value of 276 million dollars, today reported a sector source. According to the latest report by Commerce Division, the figures for the same period of the previous year were 92,000 tons and 240 million dollars. From July to March, the major buyers were China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Japan, the note stresses. Although fishing accounts for just 0,41 percent of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product, it has a high added value in export earnings, the report said. To improve the sector, several initiatives are being taken by the government and local authorities, such as the introduction of new technologies, development of value-added products and upgrade of socioeconomic conditions of the fishermen’s community. More than 2,400 sea workers were trained while the southern province of Sindh set up Fisheries Development Board.