Help protect local fish species from extinction

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged people to protect the local species of fish from extinction by using advanced and modern fish farming methods.

"The prime minister has asked the people to protect the native species of fish from extinction coming out of the traditional fish farming methods by adopting advanced and modern systems," said PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.

Hasina made the call while inaugurating the National Fisheries Week 2020 in the morning by releasing fingerlings into the lake of the Gono Bhaban.

The PM said there are some 475 species of marine fish and more than 250 varieties of freshwater fish in the country. There is also a huge demand for shrimp, crabs, snails, and other fisheries resources in the regional and international markets, she added.

She said new jobs are being created in the fisheries sector and the national economy is being enriched due to investment in the sector.

Hasina said the Awami League government has taken various effective and fruitful measures to protect the country's fisheries and boost fish production.

"As a result, fish production has increased by more than 50 percent in the last 11 years."

The PM said according to the 2020 report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Bangladesh has moved up to the second spot in the world in terms of growth rate of freshwater fish production.

"The country today is self-sufficient in fish production. At present, we are consuming 62.58 grams of fish against the daily demand of 60 grams per capita," said the premier.                       

She thanked all concerned, including the staffers of the Department of Fisheries, for the way they continued to produce, market, and export fish amid the pandemic. "This trend will have to be continued for the interest of the country."

Hasina recalled that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially released fish fry at the Gono Bhaban Lake in 1973 to inspire people to increase fish production through farming.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said some 6.5 million people were employed in the fish sector in the last 11 years and income of fish farmers and fishers increased.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Rawnak Mahmud, PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present on the occasion.

This year, the Fisheries Week is being observed from July 21 to 27 with the theme "Machh Utpadan Briddhi Kori, Shukhi Samriddha Desh Gori" (Let us increase fish production and build a happy and prosperous country).