Fisheries and Livestock Minister S M Rezaul Karim said that the production of domestic fish has increased 4 times through cultivation in the last one century.
The minister said this in the 41st meeting of the Board of Governors of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at the secretariat on Wednesday afternoon.
At this time, the minister said that the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has developed breeding techniques and farming technology of 37 species of endangered indigenous fish through research. Out of which 11 species of endangered native fish have been brought back in the last one year.
A live gene bank has been established to conserve indigenous fish. Research activities aimed at increasing fish production have been intensified as compared to the past. In the last 12 years, domestic fish production has increased 4 times from 67 thousand metric tons to 2.6 million metric tons through farming.
The minister also said that the expansion and production of Hilsa in the country has increased due to the implementation of activities at the field level based on the research results of the Fisheries Research Institute and the implementation of practical activities by the government. Hilsa production has increased by 85 percent in the last 12 years. In addition, the availability of large-sized Hilsa has increased by 25 percent compared to earlier. Research on Hilsa conservation and sustainable harvesting is also ongoing.
The minister said that the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute is playing an important role in the incredible success of Bangladesh's fish production. For the sake of the country, those associated with this institute should fulfill their assigned responsibilities properly. This country is moving towards much development. Fisheries sector is an important sector in this development. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has constant efforts and sincerity for the prosperity of this sector. The government has various grants and allocations in this sector.
Member of the Board of Governors of BFRI and Member of Parliament Muhibur Rahman Manik, Vice Chairman of the Board and Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr. Muhammad Yamin Chowdhury, Board Member and Planning Commission Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division Member AKM Fazlul Haque, Board Member Secretary and Director General of BFRI.
Yahya Mahmud, Board Member and Director General of Fisheries Department b. Mahbubul Haque, Board Member and Acting Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. Mia Saeed Hasan, Director (Research and Planning) of BFRI. Md. Khalilur Rahman and Director (Administration and Finance). Md. Anishur Rahman participated in the meeting.
