Scientists urged to help boost fish production

FE Team | Published: April 27, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Muhammed Saydul Hoque Saturday called upon the scientists to innovate new technology in fish production so that the country can occupy the first position in fish production across the world, reports BSS.
"Bangladesh now remain in fifth position in the world in fish production and the researchers should have to develop new technology as the country can occupy top position by increasing its production", he said.
The fisheries and livestock minister made this call while he was addressing as the chief guest at the inaugural session of two-day 6th Biennial Fisheries Conference and Research Fair-2014 at the auditorium of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) in the city.
The minister said now we are producing 34 lakh tonnes fish and fish products annually and the production should be increased as per the future demand of the country.
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (BFRF), a non-political and non-profit professional body with the memberships from the universities, department of fisheries(DoF), Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC), Non-govt organisations (Ngos), private sectors involved and committed to fisheries and aquatic resources development, organized the conference.
With President of BFRF and professor of Bangladesh Agriculture University Dr Md Abdul Wahab in the chair, the inaugural session of the conference also addressed, among others, by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Dr Shelina Afroza, Director-General of the Department Fisheries (DOF) Syed Arif Azad, Director-General of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) Prof Dr Subash Chandra Chakraborty and Director of World Fish,Bangladesh and South Asia Dr Craig A Meisner as the speical guests.
To increase the export earning, the minister said, the government is planning to take a project for increasing production of crab and 'kuchia'. The export of crab and kuchia would help us to earn huge foreign currency, the minister added.
Earlier, the minister also presented BFRF lifetime achievement award to three dedicated scientists in the fisheries sector---former director-general Liakat Ali, Prof Dr Sumen Dewan and Dr Mahmudul Karim.
Talking about the outstanding performance in fisheries production, Director of World Fish Dr Craig A Meisner said "Bangladesh already has done tremendous success in fisheries production and the country would be a middle income by 10 to 15 years."
Senior Scientist of the World Fish Dr Benoy Kumar Barman gave welcome address and Professor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University (BSMRAU) Dr Md Jahangir Alam presented the keynote paper on Aquaculture entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh'.
Three parallel technical sessions also would be held during the two days conference. A total number of ninety-five research papers including cage farming of tilapia at different stocking densities in the river Mahananda, fish biodiversity of Ashura beel in Dinajpr district, utilization of processed fishes and other fisheries item also to be presented during the technical sessions in two-day international conference.