The country has broken all its previous records in producing freshwater fish, bagging the second position among the highest fish producing countries in the world.
Industry insiders said, “Government’s utmost efforts to protect fish sanctuaries, imposing restriction on fishing for a certain period, and releasing fish fry in water bodies have brought such success.”
Besides various exhibitions and training, incentives in fish cultivation inspired many youths to get involved in aquaculture. As a result, most of the water bodies like ponds, streams and lakes have been brought under fish cultivation for raising production.
According to the latest report titled ‘The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture-2020’ prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), “Bangladesh has now secured the second place in the growth of freshwater fish production. Bangladesh ranks fifth in fish cultivation in the world while China and India are in the first and second place respectively.”
According to the report, at present the growth rate of fish in the country is nine percent. Indonesia is at the top position with the growth rate of 12 percent.
Based on Fisheries Department, it was learnt that, Bangladesh had the third highest growth rate of fish production in the world. Breaking past records it is now in second place. There are several reasons behind this success.
Ongoing projects, trainings, exhibitions, incentives are the main reasons for increasing fish production. Besides, fish fry releasing in open water bodies including haors and beels, is continuing.
Head of the Department of Aquaculture of Bangladesh Agricultural University Professor Md. Sazzad Hossain told Bangladesh Post, "Awareness and using of modern technologies are helping farmers produce more freshwater fishes. At the same time, some scientific popular methods like Biofloc, and others are attracting young people to involve in fish production due to its high return. Among the local varieties, Tilapia and Pangasius production increased to a notable level while Hilsa is also adding to overall fish production".
“To achieve our production target we must ensure free breeding of fishes, protect sanctuaries, stop barriers on fish migration, and keep natural resources pollution-free. At the same time, massive campaign about fish farming for young and new entrepreneurs should continue for the upgrading of the sector,” he added.
On the other hand, the government is also putting emphasis on using developed methods to increase production and saving local species of fish from extinction. Due to its continuous efforts the fish production has increased by 50 percent in the last 11 years.
According to the department of fisheries, 534 fish sanctuaries have been set up in various rivers and inland open water bodies of the country. Fish production in sanctuary-related water bodies has increased by 140 percent in the last five years.
According to government data, country’s fish production target was 40.50 lakh metric tonnes while the country had produced 41.34 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17 fiscal year.
If this trend of growth continues, it is expected that the country will achieve 45.52 lakh tonnes of fish production by 2020-21 fiscal year.
