President Abdul Hamid on Sunday asked the authorities concerned, including the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, to take necessary measures so that no one can harm the country’s fisheries sector which has huge potential.
“These days it is often found in newspapers that harmful chemicals are used for making fish feed. Strict surveillance must be ensured by the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, Fisheries Department and others concerned so that no one can harm this sector for making undue profit,” he said.
The President said this while addressing a fish fry release programme in the pond of Bangabhaban as part of the National Fisheries Week-2016. Abdul Hamid also underscored the need for ensuring the proper enforcement of fisheries related laws and making people concerned aware of that.
Mentioning that the government is very sincere about implementing the policy ‘Water bodies belong to one who owns the net’ (jal jar jola tar) for the welfare of fishermen, Abdul Hamid said, “This is why all concerned will have to ensure that real fishermen can get lease of water bodies.” Bangladesh has established its control over the vast sea area through the settlement of maritime boundary dispute with Myanmar and India, the President said adding, “We’ll have to give attention towards extracting and preserving marine resources.”
He went on saying, “We’ll have to strengthen security along the maritime boundary and then we’ll be able to reach the benefit of blue economy to people.” Hamid also out emphasis on joint efforts for increasing fish production and proper management of vast aquatic resources saying it’s not the responsibility of the government alone to boost fish production and proper management of vast aquatic resources.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, State Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda and secretary Maksudul Hasan Khan also spoke on the occasion. Later, the President released fish fry at ‘Singha Pukur’ (Lion Pond) at Bangabhaban.
