More fish production essential to meet protein deficiency

RAJSHAHI, July 27 (BSS): Enhanced fish production in the open-water bodies can be the effective means to meet protein deficiency along with poverty alleviation and employment generation, speakers at a post-rally ceremony here said.

Referring to the immense prospect of the fisheries sector they said fish production could easily be increased to a great extent through the best use of existing natural resources.

Conservation of the water resources and other wetlands has become indispensable for the sake of boosting fish production to meet the national protein demands, speakers said.

They made these observations while releasing fish fingerlings in Padma River adjacent to Padma Garden in the city Monday.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) and Community Policing Cell jointly organised the event in association with Bangladesh Police Service Association and Department of Fisheries with the main thrust of boosting fish production in open water bodies.

On the occasion, 60-kg of native fish species like rui, katla, mrigel and silver carp were released.

RMP Commissioner Md Shamsuddin, Additional Commissioner Sarder Tamiz Uddin and Deputy Commissioners Nahidul Islam and Amir Jafar and Divisional Deputy Director of Department of Fisheries Mahbubul Alam spoke on the occasion.

The speakers put emphasis on formulation of tough laws against dumping in ponds and other natural water bodies as the aquatic biodiversity and fish production of the area have been decreasing gradually due to various manmade and natural causes.

They called for involving more people in the fish farming activities to meet the protein demands as only fish can fulfill at least 60 per cent need of the animal protein especially of the poor and marginal communities.