C T Online Desk: Sarwar Jahan Jewel Mymensingh: Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar said that overfishing is taking place in the sea and on the coast through the use of current nets, trawl doors and sonar systems, which is leading to the destruction of the country’s valuable fisheries resources. In this situation, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will take necessary regulatory steps to protect fisheries resources.
The advisor made these remarks at a workshop titled “Annual Research Progress (2024-25) Review and Planning (2025-26)” organized at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) this morning.
The Fisheries and Livestock Advisor said, “In Bangladesh, once 60 percent of fish were found in open water bodies and the rest were farmed. Currently, 40 percent of fish are farmed in open water bodies and 60 percent are farmed in closed water bodies. Day by day, water pollution, filling, and uncontrolled tourism in open water bodies are destroying the breeding and migration areas of fish.”
The fisheries advisor said that Bangladesh is currently ranked first in the world in hilsa production. However, to maintain this achievement, more in-depth research and development activities on hilsa must be strengthened.
He also said that the pride of the country, the Rui and Katla of the Halda River, are not found anywhere else in the country. Research activities should be increased to include these fish of Halda in the list of Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The workshop was chaired by BFRI Director General Dr. Anuradha Bhadra and was attended by Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock as the Guest of Honor. He said that scientists are playing an important role in ensuring adequate supply of fish resources in the country. But unfortunately, the facilities they are entitled to are not adequate. If opportunities are ensured for scientists, they will be more inspired and come forward to invent new fish varieties. At the same time, he also emphasized the importance of combating the effects of climate change, controlling water pollution, creating skilled manpower and increasing technical capacity to increase fish availability.
Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Farah Shammi, Bangladesh Agricultural University Faculty of Fisheries Dean Dr. Rafiqul Islam Sardar, and Fisheries Department Director General Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf spoke as special guests.
At this time, Dr. Mohammad Ashraful Alam, Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), gave an informative presentation on the annual research progress of fisheries resources. His presentation highlighted recent research achievements, future plans and things to be done for the development of fisheries resources
