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Fish resources deplete fast

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Natural fish resources are depleting at an alarming rate although overall fish production has almost doubled in the last 10 years.
Over fishing, habitat alteration, water pollution, poor water management and indiscriminate filling up of water bodies are mainly causing the decline in natural fish population. Replacement of natural fisheries (capture fisheries) by culture fisheries is neither possible nor desirable.
This was the view of participants at the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on "National Planning on Fisheries Research and Development" in the city yesterday.
A large number of experts from home and abroad are taking part in the workshop, jointly organised by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) and the World Fish Center. The workshop is being held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.
Director General of the BFRI Dr MA Mazid told the workshop 'restoration of bio-diversity' through strict enforcement of relevant regulations is a must to save the natural fish habitats.
Managing Director of the Grameen Bank Prof. Muhammad Yunus said fisheries sector has tremendous potential as Bangladesh possesses six per cent
of the global water resources, the second highest in the world.
Despite this, fishermen are living in extreme poverty due lack of institutional support for procuring necessary fishing equipment like nets and boats. As a result, they are exploited by those who supply the equipment, Yunus said.
"Our fishermen are skilled and willing to work hard but we have failed to provide them institutional support," he added.
He said if the financial organisations come forward to give them loans to buy their own fishing equipment, their condition would greatly improve.
Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sadeque Hossain Khoka said natural fisheries are shrinking due to environmental degradation, poor water management and such other factors. Replacement of natural fisheries by culture fisheries is neither possible nor desirable, he noted.
He stressed intensive research to increase fish production from all available sources.
Director General of World Fish Center Meryl J Williams said fisheries sector now has many new opportunities and challenges as Bangladesh's economy integrates more with the regional and the global economies.
The sector needs renewed planning, execution of plans and continued investment because of its importance in the economy, she said.
The inaugural session was chaired by Nasir Uddin Ahmed, director general of fisheries department.