Staff Reporter:
Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, yesterday called upon private institutions, or-ganisations, entrepreneurs, researchers and fishers to join hands with the government for the de-sired development of the country’s fisheries sector.
In a message yesterday on the occasion of ‘National Fisheries Fortnight-2026’, or ‘Jatiya Matsya Pokkho’, to be observed today, he said collective efforts are essential to ensure the sustainable de-velopment of the country’s fisheries resources.
He said Bangladesh has been rich in fisheries resources since time immemorial, with its rivers, ca-nals, wetlands, haors, baors and vast water bodies forming an important part of the country’s natu-ral wealth.
He said fish is deeply intertwined with Bangladesh’s society, culture and festivals, while the fisher-ies sector makes a significant contribution to the national economy and people’s livelihoods.
The sector continues to play an important role in national development by meeting the protein and nutritional needs of the people, thereby helping build a healthy and skilled workforce, while also contributing to poverty alleviation, employment generation and foreign currency earnings, he add-ed.
The Acting President said the current democratic government is committed to the sustainable de-velopment of the fisheries sector.
To fulfill its electoral pledges, the government has undertaken various programs across the country for the excavation, re-excavation and conservation of rivers, canals and water bodies, he said, add-ing that these initiatives have created significant opportunities to increase overall fish production.
He said various programs, including policy support, have also been undertaken to improve the livelihoods and ensure the economic security of people in coastal areas, haor-baor regions and riv-erine communities.
Fishers have also been included in the government’s landmark ‘Farmer Card’ distribution program, while the ‘Those who own the nets, own the water bodies (Jaal Jar, Jola Tar)’ policy is being im-plemented, he said.
Alongside developing improved fish varieties and expanding the production of quality feed and processing industries, various plans are being adopted and implemented to increase fish exports, the Acting President said.
He expressed hope that the successful implementation of these initiatives would play an im-portant role in ensuring the sustainable development of the country’s fisheries resources.
The Acting President stressed that there is no alternative to improving the socioeconomic condi-tions of marginal fishers, ensuring fair prices for fish farmers and marginal farmers, and strengthen-ing research, investment and new initiatives in the sector.
He called upon all concerned to work collectively with the government to achieve the desired de-velopment of the fisheries sector.
The Acting President extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to all fish farmers, fishers, traders, entrepreneurs, fisheries researchers, scientists and others associated with the sector on the occasion.
He wished overall success to all programs undertaken on the occasion.
