Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Saturday said that due to the water pollution and filling up of water bodies, fish production is at risk.

"Unfortunately, our rivers have become polluted and the use of pesticides in agriculture has increased while the water bodies are being filled up. If this continues, fish populations will not survive," she said.

The adviser came up with the remark while speaking at the "Fisheries Entrepreneur Summit-2025", held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.

The summit aimed to promote innovation, sustainable development and the advancement of young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector.

She also stressed the need for coordinated effort from all authorities concerned of different ministries to ensure safe production of food for the future generation.

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Mentioning that turning fisheries into an industry will destroy its fundamental nature, the adviser said, "If fisheries are turned into an industry, their core nature will be lost. Internationally, we have seen the harmful effects of industrial food production, which can have significant impacts in various ways.”

Noting that the new generation is becoming more dependent on poultry than fish, Farida said, "We say that Bengalis thrive on rice and fish, but is our younger generation truly following this? They seem to be shifting towards rice and poultry instead. Many of them are unwilling to eat meals without eggs or meat. We need to encourage the new generation to eat more fish."

She further emphasised the importance of introducing small fish to children's diets. "Children must be taught to eat fish with bones. Efforts should be made to increase the popularity of fish," she added.

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