Gopalganj eyes Tk 1.12 billion fish production through pen culture

GOPALGANJ, Oct 15: Gopalganj fish farmers will produce 5,622 tonnes of fish -- worth Tk 1.12 billion - at the end of this season (around six months long) using pen culture (enclosure culture).
About 10,000 fish farmers are utilising the aquaculture technique on 3,032.5 hectares, sources from the district fisheries office said.
S.M. Shahjahan Siraj, senior upazila fisheries officer (SUFO), Kotalipara, said every year fish farming in the method begins in June and ends in December.
In Kotalipara, about 6,000 fish farmers set up 1,200 fish enclosures on 1,565 hectares and they will produce about 2,957 tonnes of fish, which has a market price of Tk 700 million, he also said, adding that this method is increasing day by day in the region.
The upazila fisheries officer said a fish farmer earns about Tk 210,000 to Tk 220,000 from one hectare (247 decimal) in six months.
Ramesh Ray (38), a fish cultivator of Tarakandi village in Kotalipara Upazila said he has been farming in this method on 42 hectares (200 bighas) for five years and it is easier and profitable than other methods as farmers do not have to bear extra costs for fish food.
Fish farmer Tota Mia Hawlader of Kurpala village of Kotalipara Upazila said he spent Tk 800,000 for fish farming on 6.5 hectares. He expects 12 tonnes of fish that has a market price of Tk 2.6 million.
Debasish Basar, senior upazila fisheries officer (SUFO), Tungipara, Gopalanj, said, a total of 820 hectares was brought under pen culture in the district.
He added that about 1,900 fish farmers produce 1,489 tonnes of fish in the season, which has significantly boosted their income. He also said the fish culture method is easy and costs less, but the profit is higher.
Fish farmer Ruhul Amin of Par Janjania village of Tungipara Upazila said he farmed fish on seven hectares (33 bighas) with an expenditure of Tk 850,000. He expects 14 metric tonnes of fish, which has a market price of Tk 2.9 million.
Bizan Kumar Nandi, district fisheries officer (DFO), Gopalganj, told the FE that ensuring the adequate depth of water, food sources, and easy mobility of juvenile fish, this method provides natural support for the cultivators -- making farming possible on small and large water bodies alike.
The method also requires a small investment and shorter duration, according to the DFO.
Fish cultivated in the method previously met 18.29 per cent demand in the district, the DFO said.

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