ZCZC
BSS-05
PM-FISHERIES-WEEK-2-LAST
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for a greater emphasis on
production, processing, and marketing of fishes.
In this context, she recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to fisheries sector as he encouraged the
people in fish production after releasing the fish fries in the lake of
Ganabhaban.
Bangabandhu then mentioned fish as a potential export product along with
jute, leather and tea, the premier remembered.
She also stressed on pisciculture to meet the national demand for protein.
“We have to increase fish production for our socio-economic growth,” she
said.
The Prime Minister said she believes that fish can become Bangladesh’s
main export item if the country ensures a sustainable use of its aquatic
resources and wetlands.
Mentioning that fisheries sector met 60 percent of the national demand of
protein, the Prime Minister reminded audience about her government’s historic
maritime boundary victory over Myanmar and India.
Bangladesh has potential of fisheries resources in the sea which needs to
be extracted, she said, adding “So, the government has put emphasis on blue
economy”.
Sheikh Hasina said her government adopted the policy ‘Jaal Jaar Jola Taar’
(those who own fishing nets own water bodies) so that the genuine fishermen
can get the wetland.
Laboratories have already been set up in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna to
maintain the quality and standards of the exportable items while steps have
been taken to examine the exportable fisheries items to maintain their
hygiene, she said.
The prime minister also called upon the country’s business people and
exporters to maintain the quality and standards of their products and thus
the country’ s image.
The prime minister underscored the need for dredging of the rivers to
maintain biodiversity as well as help boosting fisheries production.
Noting that fishery is a very important local and foreign currency-earning
item for the country, she said fishes can give people safer nutrition.
“We can solve the malnutrition problem of the country’s people through
boosting fisheries production,” she added.
The premier said livelihood of 11 percent people are now directly or
indirectly related to fisheries sector while contribution of the sector to
the country’s GDP is 3.61 percent and 60 percent of the animal protein comes
from fish.
Later, the prime minister released fries into Gananbhaban Lake, marking the
National Fisheries Week 2019.
BSS/AHJ/RY/14:05 hrs