He made these remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Fisheries Resources in Building a Self-Reliant Bangladesh: Current Context and Future Actions,' organised by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council today.
The Minister said, "We must determine our course of action by considering the problems fish currently face, future possibilities, people's demands, and the global market's need for quality fish. If we can identify problems and solve them on a priority basis, we can move forward quickly."
The Minister further said that to increase natural breeding and production of fish, adequate sanctuaries for fish must be ensured. The government has already taken various initiatives in this regard and has begun work on fish conservation.
He said that excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers in agriculture, along with other environmental pressures, are hindering the natural production and breeding of fish. To overcome this problem, we must move towards environmentally friendly and modern production methods. The potential to produce more fish in limited spaces using modern technology must be harnessed.
Highlighting the potential of Bangladeshi fishery products in the international market, the Minister said that there is a large market for the country's freshwater fish among the Bangladeshi diaspora. With a large number of Bangladeshis living in various countries around the world, exports can be increased by leveraging their demand. However, to earn foreign currency in the international market, attention must also be paid to producing fish according to the preferences and demands of the people of the importing countries, not just what Bangladeshis eat.
Mentioning the export potential of shrimp, crab, kuchia, and other aquatic species, he said that along with production, the development of fry and breeding systems is essential in these areas. If artificial fry production and rearing can be done through modern technology, production and exports in this sector can be multiplied many times over.
Emphasising coordination among quality in fish production, safe food, environmental protection, modern technology, research, and international market demand, the Minister said that effective advice from concerned scientists, researchers, and professionals will assist the government in these matters.
In his special guest speech, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku MP said that to increase fish production, an environment suitable for fish growth and breeding must be ensured. He said that encroachment of rivers and canals, navigability crises, and water pollution from industrial waste are disrupting the natural habitat and breeding grounds of fish.
The State Minister said that to restore fish habitats, it is essential to maintain the navigability of rivers and canals and to restore the connection between rivers and canals. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had taken initiatives to restore river navigability and re-excavate canals. After a long gap, the current government, under Prime Minister Tarek Rahman, has again taken the initiative to re-excavate canals and rivers. Excavation work has already been carried out in various areas. If the plan to re-excavate approximately 20,000 kilometres of canals and rivers is implemented, a suitable environment for fish breeding and movement will be created.
Expressing concern over the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in fish farming, he said that unnecessary antibiotic use not only causes economic losses to farmers but also puts food safety at risk. Initiatives will be taken to organise district-level seminars and workshops to raise awareness among farmers on this issue.
The seminar, chaired by BFRI Director General Dr. Md. Latiful Islam, was attended by Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain, Fisheries Department Director General Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak, Livestock Department Director General Md. Shahjaman Khan, senior ministry officials, university professors, BFRI scientists, and others.
The keynote paper was presented by BFRI Senior Scientific Officer Dr. Md. Mashiur Rahman.
