UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday directed the officials concerned to discharge their duties and responsibilities properly for strict implementation of laws in protecting fish resources and creating awareness for developing fisheries and boosting fish production.
The Prime Minister gave the directive while inaugurating the National Fisheries Week-2014 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital. This year’s theme of the National Fisheries Week is ‘Food, clothing, shelter: Fishing is the solution”.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock organizes the programme each year to encourage and involve people in developing fisheries and boosting fish production.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Prime Minister stressed the need for conservation of natural breeding grounds of fish and called upon all to utilize their fallow water bodies nearby houses for fish production.
She said a large number of people are involved in fishing and it has a tremendous contribution in the national economy and in poverty-alleviation.
Hasina mentioned that rainy season is the appropriate period for various species of fishes to go for reproduction and all including fishermen, farmers and fish development workers will have to be more active during this period.
She requested all concerned including public representatives, government officials and fish cultivators to produce fish fry in fish hatcheries so that mother-fishes are not destroyed.
Terming the fisheries sector as very important, she said, it meets 60 percent of the national demand for protein and this sector can be developed as an industry through ensuring proper management,.
The Prime Minister expressed her belief that fish could become Bangladesh’s main export item if the country could ensure sustainable use of its aquatic resources and wetlands.
In this regard, she put emphasis on fish processing that could play a very important role in earning foreign exchange as well as meeting the local demands.
Mentioning fishermen were always neglected in the society, Hasina said that her government has changed the situation through establishing the fishermen’s rights in water bodies and providing various incentives and support to them.
She also mentioned her government’s initiatives of registration and identity card distribution among ‘real fishermen’, and said the registration process is progressing fast and about 8.5 lakh fishermen have so far been registered while two lakh identity cards were prepared, which are being distributed to them.
The Prime Minister said that her government adopted the policy of ‘Jaal Jaar ,Jola Taar’ and framed the National Water-body Management Policy 2009; Fish and Animal Food Act 2010; and Fish Hatchery Act 2010 to protect the interest of fishermen.
Terming balanced diet as very important for a strong and healthy nation, she said steps have been taken as per the election pledge, Sixth Five-Year Plan and Annual Development Programme to meet the demand of protein through increasing fish production.
Besides, huge number of skilled manpower has been developed through providing training for the purpose of fish processing, she added.
As a result, Hasina said, the demand of Bangladesh’s shrimp has increased remarkably in the export markets over last couple of years.
She noted that in last five years, fish production increased by 8.5 lakh tons to 34.10 lakh tons while the country earned about $ 500 million through export of shrimps.
Referring to the victory in maritime boundary case against Myanmar, she said opportunities have been created to develop and exploit fish resources on over 111,000 square kilometer areas of the Bay of Bengal and her government has undertaken various measures to this end.
The Prime Minister called upon all to contribute from their respective position in protecting fish resources and boosting fish production in the country.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday directed the officials concerned to discharge their duties and responsibilities properly for strict implementation of laws in protecting fish resources and creating awareness for developing fisheries and boosting fish production.
The Prime Minister gave the directive while inaugurating the National Fisheries Week-2014 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital. This year’s theme of the National Fisheries Week is ‘Food, clothing, shelter: Fishing is the solution”.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock organizes the programme each year to encourage and involve people in developing fisheries and boosting fish production.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Prime Minister stressed the need for conservation of natural breeding grounds of fish and called upon all to utilize their fallow water bodies nearby houses for fish production.
She said a large number of people are involved in fishing and it has a tremendous contribution in the national economy and in poverty-alleviation.
Hasina mentioned that rainy season is the appropriate period for various species of fishes to go for reproduction and all including fishermen, farmers and fish development workers will have to be more active during this period.
She requested all concerned including public representatives, government officials and fish cultivators to produce fish fry in fish hatcheries so that mother-fishes are not destroyed.
Terming the fisheries sector as very important, she said, it meets 60 percent of the national demand for protein and this sector can be developed as an industry through ensuring proper management,.
The Prime Minister expressed her belief that fish could become Bangladesh’s main export item if the country could ensure sustainable use of its aquatic resources and wetlands.
In this regard, she put emphasis on fish processing that could play a very important role in earning foreign exchange as well as meeting the local demands.
Mentioning fishermen were always neglected in the society, Hasina said that her government has changed the situation through establishing the fishermen’s rights in water bodies and providing various incentives and support to them.
She also mentioned her government’s initiatives of registration and identity card distribution among ‘real fishermen’, and said the registration process is progressing fast and about 8.5 lakh fishermen have so far been registered while two lakh identity cards were prepared, which are being distributed to them.
The Prime Minister said that her government adopted the policy of ‘Jaal Jaar ,Jola Taar’ and framed the National Water-body Management Policy 2009; Fish and Animal Food Act 2010; and Fish Hatchery Act 2010 to protect the interest of fishermen.
Terming balanced diet as very important for a strong and healthy nation, she said steps have been taken as per the election pledge, Sixth Five-Year Plan and Annual Development Programme to meet the demand of protein through increasing fish production.
Besides, huge number of skilled manpower has been developed through providing training for the purpose of fish processing, she added.
As a result, Hasina said, the demand of Bangladesh’s shrimp has increased remarkably in the export markets over last couple of years.
She noted that in last five years, fish production increased by 8.5 lakh tons to 34.10 lakh tons while the country earned about $ 500 million through export of shrimps.
Referring to the victory in maritime boundary case against Myanmar, she said opportunities have been created to develop and exploit fish resources on over 111,000 square kilometer areas of the Bay of Bengal and her government has undertaken various measures to this end.
The Prime Minister called upon all to contribute from their respective position in protecting fish resources and boosting fish production in the country.
