54 species of fish on verge of extinction: Minister

This was disclosed by State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Ukil Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan at a press conference yesterday at the Fisheries Directorate in connection with the observance of 'Fisheries Fortnight'.

The fisheries fortnight will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tomorrow.

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Sattar said during the fiscal 2001-2002, the country produced 18.90 metric tons of fish -- 6.88 MT from open waters, 7.86MT from cultivable water bodies and 4.16MT from sea water.

He told the newsmen that at least 54 species of traditional fish were on the verge of extinction. However, he said efforts are underway to protect them through artificial insemination through other research pursuits.

He said 1.20 crore people were directly and indirectly dependent for their life and living on the fish sector.

And as such, he said, the government had imparted training to two lakh fish growers by setting up 8,000 fish villages in 300 upazilas under 54 districts with financial and technical assistance from World Bank, DFDI and other financial institutions.

The state minister said the country earned foreign exchange to the tune of Tk 1637.14 crore by exporting 41,482 metric tons of frozen fish, shrimps and other fish resources during the fiscal 2001-2002.

He said the government has taken various plans to develop fish resources, including setting up of 50 sanctuaries in different rivers, haors and other water bodies.