Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim has said that the production of hilsa in Bangladesh under the excellent management of the government is now a wonder of the world.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a district level seminar on hilsa resource development and management project of the Fisheries Department at Pirojpur circuit house on Friday morning.
Pirojpur District Fisheries Office and Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project jointly organised the seminar.
“The present government has taken a strong stand through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to increase the production of hilsa. We have taken a strict stand while the fishing of mother hilsa and Jatka were banned. Laboratories and sanctuaries have been set up for hilsa,” he added.
He also mentioned that legal actions are being taken against those who are trying to destroy the hilsa resources.
“In the fiscal year 2020-21, the country has produced 5 lakh 50 thousand metric tonnes of hilsa,” he said.
He further said that climate change, river water pollution, uncontrolled dredging are hindering the production and migration of hilsa in various ways and therefore hilsa fishes are changing their places elsewhere.
“We are actively considering the matter. Bigger hilsas are being netted this year. The number and size of hilsa are increasing at the same time. The credit goes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
The minister called upon everyone to play a role in the development of the country's fisheries including the development of hilsa resources.
Rezaul Karimal so assured that the government is trying to bring the price of fish feed to a tolerable level.
Pirojpur Deputy Commissioner Abu Ali Md Sajjad Hossain presided over the seminar.
Barisal Divisional Fisheries Department Deputy Director Anisur Rahman Talukder, Pirojpur Additional Superintendent of Police Mollah Azad Hossain, Pirojpur District Awami League General Secretary MA Hakim Hawlader and Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project Director Zia Haider Chowdhury were present as special guests at the seminar.
