45.52 lakh m. ton fish production expected by 2021

Staff Correspondent, DHAKA, Feb 18: The fisheries sector of Bangladesh achieved an average growth rate of six percent in last five years. With this rate the government is expecting to increase fish production to 45.52 lakh m. ton by the year 2021.

The last fiscal year production was 34.10 lakh m. ton. To achieve this target the Department of Fisheries is now implementing 26 development projects throughout the country.
 
This was disclosed in the “District Fisheries Officers’(DFO’s) Conference-2014” in Mathsha Bhaban at Ramna today. Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock  (MoFL) Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, MP. inaugurated the two day conference organized by The Department of Fisheries .
 
The Minister said that, the fisheries sector is one of the most important sectors of Bangladesh. It covers 60 percent of animal protein of the total population. Considering all the successes of the sector, there is yet to achieve a lot. Unabated catching of young fish fries by unscrupulous fisherman  must be stopped immediately. The ministry has directed the District Commissioners of coastal districts to operate mobile court to overcome the problem.  He called for all out effort, devotion and transparency of the concerned officials for sustainable development and preservation of fish sector.
 
State Minister for the MoFL Narayan Chandra Chanda, MP. , Secretary (in charge) of MoFL Ms. Shelina Afroza, Ph,D was present as the special guest.
 
The state Minister said, we have a vast coastal region. With the support of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Malayasia, the government has almost finalized to buy a Research and Survey Ship for better management of fisheries resources in this area.
 
Earlier, the minister uncovered a book entitled “Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh”.
 
Presided over by Syed Arif Azad, the Director General of The Department of Fisheries, the workshop was attended by officers from 64 districts.
 
risingbd/Shafiq/Augustin Sujan