The State Minister laid the emphasis while inaugurating a two-day workshop titled ‘Formulation of Annual Research Plan 2019-20’ organized by Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute –BFRI in the capital.

The State Minister, as quoted in a PID handout, informed that “We are now 1st in hilsha production, 3rd in fish production in open water bodies, 5th in fish farming, and also obtained 4th position in ‘Telapia’ fish production in the world.”

He opined that a new dimension has ushered in regarding bio-diversity conservation of ‘Kuchia’ and crab due to invention of  technology for production of crab and ‘Kuchia’ fries.

“BFRI has already successfully invented breeding techniques of coastal region’s ‘Parshe’ and ‘Nona Tangra’ and currently conducting research for breeding and cultivation of Chaka shrimp, Horina shrimp, ‘Kaine-Magur’ ‘Vetki’, ‘Datina’ and ‘Chitra’ fish. Production of these fishes would increase if production of fish fry and farming technique are invented” said fisheries experts. 

Some 3.57 percent of the country’s GDP earned from fisheries sector as more than 11 percent people of Bangladesh are dependent on fisheries sector. During eighties the total production of fish was 8.0 lakh metric tons and out of this, about 80 percent fish are of rivers, haors, baors and beels, they added.

“Due to continued efforts of the government the fish production at present stands at 42.77 lakh MT. Of them, 56 percent comes from fish farming, 28 percent from rivers, haors, baors and inland open water bodies while 16 percent comes from sea. By conducting research the BFRI has already preserved  gene pool of 21 fishes out of already-extinct 64 fishes.

BFRI Director General Dr Yahiya Mahmud presided over the opening session of the workshop held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council – BARC auditorium in the capital.        
Among others, Fisheries and Livestock Resources Secretary Roisul Alam Mondol and BARC Executive Chairman Dr M Kabir Ekramul Haque spoke on the occasion.