YTC reproduces local catfish variety

SHERPUR, Mar 1 (UNB): Production of the local fish resources has received a boost through different activities, including research, at both the government and private levels in the district.

Due to climate change impacts and other reasons, the natural water bodies here are being filled up, causing a sharp depletion of the production of the local fish species.

Consequently, various programmes have been initiated by the government and non-government organisations in the district on how to increase production of the local fish species and prevent their extinction.

This time, it has been possible to artificially reproduce local variety of shing (catfish) at the small fish hatchery of Sherpur Youth Training Centre.

This has further opened up the possibility for cultivating local varieties of fish which are almost on the verge of extinction.

Sherpur Youth Training Centre is an institution for human resource development under the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Unemployed youths of the district are given training for three months at the centre. The training courses include poultry and livestock, fish cultivation, nursery and vegetable farming.

The fish hatchery at the training centre is small in size. The centre authorities produce the local variety of Shing during the reproduction season at this hatchery since there is no big pond.

Youths are given training on how to hatch local varieties of fish which are facing extinction.

The last two batches of the centre saw successful artificial reproduction of the local shing species.