Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Sunday said the government is taking all pragmatic measures to increase the production of Hilsa.
“We will do whatever we need to do so that there is no obstacle in the way of growing Hilsa. This year’s Jatka Conservation Week programme is being observed. A programme has been also taken to protect the sanctuaries of Hilsa and stop the catch of Jatka,” he said.
The minister was addressing a press conference on the occasion of Jatka Conservation Week-2021 at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at the Secretariat here.
Referring to Hilsa, the most branded fish in Bangladesh and one of the best in the world, he said, “Hilsa production has surpassed all records in the past. We are in the first place among the countries who are producing Hilsa.”
Noting that not only the ministry or the department but everyone should be involved in the conservation of Hilsa, the minister said, “The media has to play a role in raising public awareness at this time.”
He said naval police, coast guard, police, RAB, Navy and concerned administration are cooperating in the conservation of Hilsa. “Even the fishing community is coming to our side,” he added.
Responding to a question from reporters at the time, the minister said, “The number of mobile courts and the amount of fines have increased as we have taken stricter measures to protect mother hilsa and jatka than in the past. We are now bringing the people behind the scenes who are fishing illegally under the law. We are giving VGF according to the fishermen who are associated with Hilsa. The list is being updated every year.”
“If you want to survive from coronavirus, you have to increase your immunity system. In order to increase immunity, the body needs to meet the needs of nutrition and meat(amish). And the biggest supply of nutritious and non-vegetarian food comes from fish, meat, milk, eggs,” he added.
The minister also assured that there would be no loss in fish, meat, milk and egg production and transportation and marketing in ‘Corona Lockdown’.
Besides, arrangements will be made for mobile or floating sales to make fish, meat, milk and eggs easily available to the people in corona pandemic and during Ramadan, he said.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Raunak Mahmud, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Shyamal Chandra Karmakar and Director General of the Fisheries Department Kazi Shams Afroz were present on the occasion.
