In order to achieve the target of 8.5 million metric tons of fish production in 2041, besides the mechanization of the farm, the productivity should be increased by using modern and automatic technology in every stage of fishery and management, said the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Md Abdur Rahman.
He said this at a press conference organized on the occasion of National Fisheries Week-2024 at the meeting room of the Department of Fisheries yesterday. On the initiative of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and Directorate of Fisheries, the National Fisheries Week-2024 started from yesterday to August 5 with the theme of 'Vorbo Mache Moder Desh, Gorbo Smart Bangladesh'.
The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock said that in order to achieve the goal of developing Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country by 2041, the government will increase fish production, create employment, socio-economic development of fishermen, establish fish sanctuaries and protected areas, preserve hilsa, assess marine fish stocks to develop the potential of the blue economy and The minister mentioned that various activities including sustainable extraction, value chain development of fish and fish products, expansion of export markets are being implemented.
He said that in the fiscal year 2022-23, the total fish production in the country was 49.15 million metric tons, which is about 60 percent more than the total production in the fiscal year 2010-11 (30.62 million metric tons). Fish production has increased significantly and per capita daily fish consumption has increased to 67.80 grams against the demand of 60 grams. Fisheries sector contributes 2.53 percent of the country's total GDP and 22.26 percent of the agricultural GDP. More than 12 percent of the total population of the country earns their livelihood by directly or indirectly involved in various activities of the fisheries sector.
The minister said that Bangladesh's success in fish production has been recognized internationally. According to the report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations under the title 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture-2024', Bangladesh is ranked 2nd in the world in terms of fish production in inland open water bodies, 5th in the production of farmed fish in closed water bodies and 1st in the production of hilsa and 4th in the production of telapia.
He said, through the diplomatic foresight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, our rights have been established in 1 crore 18 thousand 813 square kilometers of maritime waters through the historic sea victory. NAF Marine Protected Area has been declared as the 5th marine protected area of the country with the aim of protecting biodiversity, sustainable fishing and enriching the green economy.
The government has taken various steps to improve the quality of life of fishermen. Abdur Rahman said that the real fishermen are being identified and we give their identity cards with registration. Out of about 18 lakh 10 thousand fishermen registered so far, 15 lakh 80 thousand fishermen have been given identity cards. In the time of prohibition of catching Jhatka ( Hilsa child) , rice is provided at the rate of 40 kg per family per month for four months and 25 kg per family for 22 days during the main breeding season of Hilsa. A total of 71 thousand 611 tons of rice has been distributed to 9 lakh 15 thousand 756 fishermen families during the ban on Jhatka and Mother-hilsha extraction in the financial year 2023-24. In addition, VGF (rice) at the rate of 40 kg per month is distributed to registered fishermen of coastal districts during the 65-day sea fishing ban every year.
The minister said that currently Bangladesh exports fish and fish products to more than 50 countries of the world. Despite the financial recession in the global market, foreign exchange earnings of 405.72 million US dollars (i.e. equivalent to about Tk 4496.38 crore) have been earned through the export of 77408 tons of fish and fish products in the financial year 2023-24. An export target of five billion dollars has been set by 2030.
Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Syed Mahmud Belal Haider, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Syed Md Alamgir was present at this time.
ZH