Plenty of indigenous varieties of fish are now available across the country during this winter as these species are being caught in large number in haors, baors, beels -all marshy lands -- lakes, canals and rivers due to the government various measures.
Visiting several markets of the capital it was seen that different species of native fish including Shoal, Boal, Shing, Magur, Koi, Taki, Ayr, Puti, Tengra and Meni are being sold.
According to traders, these species of native fish are being caught in large number due to the government various measures. Not only in the markets, these native species of fish are also being sold by hawkers in different alleyways of the capital.
Concerned people said that the contribution of the fisheries sector to the country's GDP is 3.61 percent. A large part of this sector is species of native fish. These fishes are rich with essential minerals, vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron and iodine. These strengthen the body's immune system and help prevent diseases such as anemia, goiter, blindness, etc.
When asked, Akmol Miah, a fish trader in Karwan Bazar of the capital, said that various local species of fish have been available in the market for the last two months. Buyers are also buying these fishes with interest. Because it is not available all year round, many people are buying more and storing it in the fridge as there will be no supply of these fishes after the end of the Bangla Poush month.
It is known that there was a time when the village markets in Bangladesh witnessed abundance of local fish. Now there are being cultivated-- Rui, Katla, Pangas and Telapia fish. According to various sources, 64 out of 260 species of freshwater fish in Bangladesh are endangered.
Over the past few decades, fish in natural water bodies have declined due to population growth, water pollution, excessive water use, arbitrary use of pesticides in agriculture, and over-extraction, or environmental disasters. But many small species of fish in natural water bodies such as Mola, Dhela, Puti, Kachki, Bain, Chanda and many others have been providing nutrition to the people since time immemorial.
According to the the Department of Fisheries, out of 260 species of freshwater fish, 143 species are small fish. The contribution of small fish in fish production in the country is 30 to 35 percent. At present more than 400 farms are working to produce native fish fry. In Mymensingh region alone, 200 crore Pabda and Gulsha tengra fish fry are being produced annually. Pabda, Gulsha, Shing, Tengra, Magur and Koi are being cultivated extensively at the field level. Besides, the cultivation of Bata fish has also increased.
Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock said that the government has taken up a project titled 'Conservation and Development of Indigenous Species of Fish and Snails' at a cost of Tk 202 crore to protect domestic fish and aquatic animals to meet the demand for fish in the country. The project has already been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, ECNEC. The project has been approved for the purpose of increasing the production of lost native species of fish, said the Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.
