Take effective steps to protect local species of fish: President
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
President Iajuddin Ahmed called for initiating effective measures to protect the traditional local species of fish in the public interest, as it is the country's major source of protein.
The President made the call while speaking at a function on the occasion of releasing fish fry in the 'Singha Pukur' on the Bangabhaban premises in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.
He released fish fry in the pond as part of the ongoing eight-day 'Fisheries Development Drive-2008', which was inaugurated by the Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed at Sunamganj on August 23.
He urged all to speed up the ongoing 'social movement' on fisheries extension to increase fish production as well as to protect their natural habitats, saying that contribution of the fisheries sector is significant in the national economy and in employment creation.
The government has already taken various steps to conserve fishes, but it needs all-out public cooperation for proper implementation of the measures, Iajuddin said.
Though Bangladesh is a natural land of diverse fish resources since long, the fish production has been declining alarmingly due to high density of population and other factors including catching of fishes during the breeding period, using harmful nets and chemical fertilisers, he said.
"All government and non-government organisations, responsible for conservation, extension and development of the fisheries sector, need to play more responsible role in their respective fields to check the declining trend of fish production", he added.
The President expressed satisfaction that under the ongoing drive, fish fairs, rallies, discussions, motivational meeting and seminars are being held in divisional cities to involve people from all strata into the fisheries extension programme.
Secretary for Fisheries and Livestock Syed Ataur Rahman and Fisheries Department Director General M Rafiqul Islam also spoke at the function.
Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader and officials of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry were present.
The President made the call while speaking at a function on the occasion of releasing fish fry in the 'Singha Pukur' on the Bangabhaban premises in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.
He released fish fry in the pond as part of the ongoing eight-day 'Fisheries Development Drive-2008', which was inaugurated by the Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed at Sunamganj on August 23.
He urged all to speed up the ongoing 'social movement' on fisheries extension to increase fish production as well as to protect their natural habitats, saying that contribution of the fisheries sector is significant in the national economy and in employment creation.
The government has already taken various steps to conserve fishes, but it needs all-out public cooperation for proper implementation of the measures, Iajuddin said.
Though Bangladesh is a natural land of diverse fish resources since long, the fish production has been declining alarmingly due to high density of population and other factors including catching of fishes during the breeding period, using harmful nets and chemical fertilisers, he said.
"All government and non-government organisations, responsible for conservation, extension and development of the fisheries sector, need to play more responsible role in their respective fields to check the declining trend of fish production", he added.
The President expressed satisfaction that under the ongoing drive, fish fairs, rallies, discussions, motivational meeting and seminars are being held in divisional cities to involve people from all strata into the fisheries extension programme.
Secretary for Fisheries and Livestock Syed Ataur Rahman and Fisheries Department Director General M Rafiqul Islam also spoke at the function.
Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader and officials of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry were present.