Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Act (No. XXXV of 1997).

The aim of this Act is to regulate the quality and promote the export of fish and fishery products from Pakistan. Matters dealt with by the Act include: Registration of fish processing plants (3); Registration of fish exporters (4); Constitution and functions of Inspection Committee (5); Inspection of fish processing plants (6); Fish export (7); Handling of fish and fishery products (8); Quality evaluation of fish and fishery products (9); Powers, duties and functions of Fishery Officer (10); Seizure and disposal (14); Power to make rules (18).
Fish is defined as all aquatic animals of inland, marine and brackish [waters], alive or dead, and includes prawns, shrimp, lobsters, crabs... turtles, in salted, unsalted, semi-dried, dried, frozen, preserved, cured, or canned form and any other aquatic animal or animal product which the Director General, Marine Fisheries Department, may by order declare to be fish... . Fish processing plants and fish exporters must register with an authorized Fish Officer. An Inspection Committee (composed of government officials and a broad based trade association of fish processing plants) shall examine the fitness of fish processing plants, hear appeals and make recommendations to the Federal Government regarding the functioning of the industry. The Act prohibits the processing or export of fish which is unfit for human consumption and also prohibits the handling of fish and fishery products by persons suffering from contagious diseases. Among others, Fishery Officers have the power to issue certificates of quality and origin for fish and fishery products, and to seize and dispose of such products if found to be unfit for human consumption. Regulations may be made on topics such as handling, processing and packaging and marketing, disposal procedures, registration fees, etc.