The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has said that the government has not approved indoor or artificial hilsa farming, clarifying that no such initiative has received official clearance so far.
In a press release issued on Monday, the ministry said it has seriously reviewed the issue amid recent discussions and reports published in newspapers, online media and social media regarding indoor or artificial cultivation of hilsa.
The ministry said a meeting on indoor, fully controlled and intensive cultivation of hilsa and other marine fish using the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology was held at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Sunday (February 1).
The meeting was chaired by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar, and attended by senior officials of the ministry, the Department of Fisheries and the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute.
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The review found that hilsa is an important Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh and is closely linked to the country’s riverine and coastal ecosystems, food security, heritage and the livelihoods of a large number of fishermen.
As hilsa production and management largely depend on the natural reproductive cycle and riverine environment, any initiative related to its cultivation is highly sensitive and policy-driven, the ministry said.
It added that there is currently no government policy decision or approval regarding RAS or any other indoor, fully controlled or intensive method of hilsa farming. As such, no individual or institution has been granted permission to cultivate hilsa using these methods.
The ministry said any research, experimental initiative or technical activity related to hilsa must be conducted in line with existing laws, policies and national interests, and subject to prior approval from the relevant government authorities. Any unauthorised activity will be considered unacceptable.
The ministry also urged all concerned, including the public, to rely on government-approved and credible information and not to be misled by misinformation or rumours.