Bangladesh is expected to attain self-sufficiency in fresh water fish production within next three years with a target to meet the annual demand of 42 lakh tonnes fishes, the major protein source of the people.”In 2008-09, country’s fish production stood at 27.01 lakh tonnes…the production soared to 36.84lakh tonnes in 2014-15 and it is expected that the country would be self-sufficient in fish production by the year of 2018-19″, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Sayedul Haque.The Minister announced this while addressing a press conference held at the Department of Fisheries (DoF) here ahead of the National Fisheries Week that begins today.
Terming the tremendous success in fish production, Haque told the journalists that the country has already secured 4th position in aquaculture fish production in the world.The main slogan of the National Fisheries Week has been set –where the water bodies aquaculture is there (Jal Ache Jekhane Match cash sekhane).The weeklong celebration is held, every year, to create greater awareness among the people about the country’s fish resources.The week is being observed throughout the country by active participation of the people including the high level personalities in order to make a perception that the fisheries is a vital sector of the country.Apart from being the major source of protein for the nation, fisheries are also a major economic activity, accounting for a significant part of the country’s exports.This year, too, the programmes are being held at the national and district levels.As part of the week long programme, a rally to commemorate the day begun at 8am from Matshya Bhaban and ended at the Muktangan after parading around the secretariat and the Jatiya Press Club.On the second day of the week, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially inaugurate the week and distribute national fisheries award-2016 among 15 successful fish farmers at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) at Khamarbari in the capital at 10.30am.The Prime Minister also will release fish fries at Gano Bhaban Lake at around 12pm.On the sixth day, President Abdul Hamid will release fish fries at Bangabhaban pond.Besides, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock along with the Department of Fisheries will organize five-day long central fisheries fair on the third day of the week at the premises of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh at Khamarbari in Farmgate.Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith will inaugurate the five-day central Fisheries Fair at Khamarbari on the fourth day of the week.On the concluding day of the festival, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will release fish fries at Jatya Sangsad Bhaban Lake and the week-long function will over through evaluation of the weeklong activities and prize distribution at Khamarbari at 5pm.Fisheries and Livestock Secretary M Maksudul Hasan Khan, additional secretary of the ministry Anisur Rahman, Director-General (DG) of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) Syed Arif Azad, Director-General of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) Dr Yahia Mahmud, among others, were present.
source:BSS
