The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture made these remarks at a press conference held today at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The Minister informed that the central inaugural ceremony of the National Fisheries Week will be held on August 16 at the George Institute Mini Stadium ground in Achmita Union, Katiadi Upazila, Kishoreganj district. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will be present as the chief guest to declare the inauguration of National Fisheries Week-2026 and distribute the medals.
He said the contribution of the fisheries sector to the country's economy, food security, and nutrition is increasing day by day. Currently, the sector contributes 2.58 percent to the national GDP and 22.03 percent to agricultural GDP. Approximately 2.06 crore people are directly or indirectly involved in this sector, including a significant number of women. The growth rate of this sector is also satisfactory. He added that efforts to modernise, make competitive, and sustain the sector will continue through the government's visionary policies, research and technology expansion, and the collective efforts of stakeholders.
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The Minister informed that per capita daily fish availability currently stands at 67.80 grams, which exceeds the national nutritional requirement of 60 grams. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, total fish production in the country reached 51.11 lakh metric tons. He credited this achievement to the combined efforts of fishermen, fish farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and government and private institutions.
Regarding Bangladesh's position on the international stage, the Minister said that according to FAO's 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026' report, Bangladesh ranks second in the world in inland open water fish harvesting and fifth in closed water aquaculture production. Bangladesh ranks first globally in hilsa harvesting, eighth in tilapia production, sixth in crustacean harvesting, and 13th in coastal and marine fisheries harvesting.
Currently, the number of registered fishermen in the country is 1,811,552. Among them, 650,251 are hilsa fishers, 285,648 are from haor areas, and 325,211 are sea-going fishermen.
The Minister said that enforcing bans during breeding seasons through laws alone is not possible; alternative food and income security for fishermen is essential. Under the government's 180-day action plan, 40,000 hilsa fishermen have been provided with food assistance during the banned period to ensure safe hilsa breeding.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, under the mother hilsa conservation programme during the 22-day ban, 15,503.501 metric tons of VGF rice were distributed; under the jatka conservation programme, 58,720.161 metric tons of rice were distributed over four months; during the 58-day sea ban, 24,165.625 metric tons of rice were distributed; and 1,610.701 metric tons of rice were given to fishermen who refrained from fishing in Kaptai Lake.
Financial assistance of Tk 50,000 each was provided to the families of 26 fishermen who died while fishing, the same amount to the families of 13 missing fishermen, and Tk 25,000 to one disabled fisherman. Additionally, 1,295 beneficiaries were provided with support for poultry, cattle/goats, vegetable gardening, and small businesses.
The Minister further stated that initiatives have been taken to implement the pledges regarding the fisheries sector made in BNP's election manifesto. These include abolishing the lease system for water bodies, coastal canals, and haors, and opening them up to local fishermen and poor communities under the policy of 'whose nets, whose water bodies.' Integrated plans are being adopted to increase export earnings by establishing a global brand for shrimp and facilitating the supply of quality shrimp to foreign supermarkets.
The press conference was attended by Sultan Salauddin Tuku MP, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock; Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain; Additional Secretaries Imam Uddin Kabir and Syeda Nawara Jahan; Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak; and other senior officials from the ministry and department.