The production of Hilsa, known as king of fish species, has increased
22 percent in last three years in Barisal district. However,
different species of indigenous varieties of fish are gradually
extinct mainly because of massive water pollution and adverse climate
change effects and we have to prevent and adapt that, said
participants of the inaugural ceremony of National Fisheries Week-2013
in Barisal.
The theme of the week was ‘Mache Mache Varbo Desh, Gorbo Sonar
Bangladesh’ aimed at encouraging and involving people in developing
fisheries and boosting fish production.
Shahidul Alam, deputy commissioner Barisal, led a rally and releasing
fish fries at Bangabandhu Uddyan Lake in the city inaugurated the week
in Barisal Tuesday morning. District administration and fishery
directorate jointly organised a discussion meeting on this occasion at
the Ashwini Kumar Hall presided over by Md. Shahidul Alam, deputy
commissioner.
Among others, by Md. Nurul Amin, divisional commissioner, Dr. AKM
Aminul Huq, deputy director Fishery directorate, Md. Wahiduzzaman,
district fishery officer, leaders of fishermen association and
representatives from different government and non-government
organisations related with fishery, participated in the rally and
addressed the discussion.
In the discussion it was revealed by the fishery directorate that
production of Hilsa fishes increased (22.48 per cent) from 22,500
metric tons in 2008-09 to 29,021.35 metric tons in 2011-12.
On other hand during the same period number of shrimp culture and
farming increased (21.49 percent) from 1,389 to 1,749 and shrimp
production increased (64.6 per cent) from 126 metric ton to 367.4
metric tons in the district.
Dr. AKM Aminul Huq, Barisal divisional officer and deputy director
fisheries directorate acknowledged that no survey of fisheries has
been conducted in the Bay of Bengal after the liberation war due to
lack of research and survey vessels and so it was not possible to
assess the fish resources in the sea till today.
However, a process is underway to procure a research and survey vessel
with cooperation of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Malaysian
government within ten months, the DD fisheries revealed.
Speakers of the discussion highlighting the importance of fish
resources in the country’s economic development, said fisheries sector
contribute some 4.3 per cent to national GDP and 22.76 per cent to the
agricultural GDP.
Some 32.62 lakh tonnes of fishes were produced during 2011-12 fiscal
in the country contributing 60 per cent of animal protein, 3 per cent
of export earning. The government expected to produce some 34 lakh
tonnes of fishes during 2012-13 fiscal year, the fishery officials
added.
Bangladesh was a land of rivers, canals, wetlands, water bodies and
due to its natural characteristics and geographical location; people
could depend on fishery resources.
They sought all-out cooperation from all government and private
organisations, entrepreneurs, fishermen and fish farmers to make the
national fisheries week a success.
The programmes of the fisheries week include a five-day fish fair,
road-rally, boat-rally, seminar, essay and art competition for the
students, fish fries release at some important spots and mobile
publicity. -Our Correspondent
