Move to frame policy on fish biodiversity

The government is set to formulate a policy on fish biodiversity management in the cross-border rivers aiming to boost fish production and save the rare species of fishes from extinction, officials said.  
To this effect, the ministry of fisheries and livestock (MoFL) has initiated a move to preserve the rare and indigenous species of freshwater fishes and increase their production.
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) has been working on the issue.   
Bangladesh and India share 54 common rivers that are major sources of freshwater fishes.
But indigenous species of freshwater fishes are in danger of extinction due to climate change, deposit of huge silts on the riverbeds, excessive use of chemicals in cropland and epizootic ulcerative syndrome (fish disease), according to BFRI.
Bagda, tangra, bata and foli fishes have now become rare, it said, adding that BFRI will frame a policy on fish biodiversity management in trans-boundary rivers to ensure restoration of migration routes of fishes and their safe breeding.
"We have initiated the process. We have already started discussing the formulation of the policy with stakeholders," BFRI director general (DG) Dr Yahia Mahmud told the FE.
BFRI held a meeting with stakeholders recently to discuss the issue, he said, adding that a core committee will be set up comprising representatives from different countries in South Asia.
Mr Mahmud said the production of freshwater fish in the country is increasing day by day. The rate of fish production growth is over 0.1 million tonnes.
"If the present growth trend continues, it will be possible to attain self-sufficiency in freshwater fish production within next few years," he said.  
The fisheries sector sees a financial transaction of over Tk 40 billion annually.    
The total demand for freshwater fish in the country is about 4.2 million tonnes. The country is now producing around 3.8 million tonnes of freshwater fishes, according to BFRI.
BFRI has undertaken several projects including culture of cuchia (mudeel) and crab in selected areas of the country. And so far it has restored 16 species of local varieties of fishes.  
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