The Fisheries Research Institute (FR1) established in 1984 on 1 10 acres of land be side Bangladesh Agricultural University. Myinensingh has attained successes In the field of fish production through re search and practical expert ences

The main aims and objectives of the institute was to carry oul basic and adaptive research aimed at developing of all living aquatic resources and coordinate fisheries research activities in Bangladesh to experiment and standardise for maximum production and for better management of liv ing aquatic resources, to Iden tify new production opportunities and develop them to us able levels, to develop skilled research manpower through training, to transfer the technologies developed to users through training of extension workers, planners and fish farmers and to advise the gov eminent In all matters relating to research and management of living aquatic resources.

The programmes of FRJ are funded by the government. International Development Agency (IDA). USAID. IDRC and similar foreign funding agencies

The institution has four dff ferent stations throughout the country including two sub-sta-tlons. one In Rangamati and the other in .Santahar These stations are. Freshwater Sta Uon at Mymenslngh. Riverines Station at Chandpur for exclusive research works orr inland openwater fisheries manage ment and development of production for riverine spe cies. Bracklshwater Station in Khulna which undertakes research on various aspects of bracklshwater aquaculture in eluding assessment of shrimp seed resources, mangrove eco logy, development of tech niques for shrimp seeds pro ductton. semi intensive and to tensive culture of commer

cially Important shellfish and finfish. Marine Fisheries and Technological Station in Cox's Bazar which undertakes research on marine shrimp seed production, marine ecology disease diagnosis and control, preservation technologies and quality control.

The Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute In Mymen singh is one of the four research institute which is ac tively involved in conducting research on hatchery man agement, fish reproduction, genetics, production or culture systems, fish feed and nutrition fish disease and socio economic aspects of freshwa ter aquaculture -

The research station has 118 ponds, ajl of which are drainable The ponds range in size from 0 04 to 0 62 hectare A modern hatchery with a capacity to produce over three crore fry annually has also ac cess to Incubation systems for research on fish reproduction

Research on various types of fish ir carried out thoughout the year keeping pace with season. A number of laboratories. equipped w®i most modern apparatus, help the scientific officers to study on different angles. Test results are filed In computer memory chips for future references

Different research methods in laboratories, gene pools, hatchery ponds and in cold starages are randomly applied for exact positive outcome of the whole study

Induced spawning is one such method in which differ ent dosages of hormones are used to develop low cost hatchery management system Another method, multiple spawning, uses chromosome manipulation to form trip folds Research on polyculture and integrated farming are some of the few inore methods being used by the scientists at the Freshwater Station

The above mentioned me thods have already expert enced remarkable success sto nes Many more similar meth ods are on progress at the sta Uon to explore the vast resources of the water bodies in the country

Two different species of catfish, one of the native. Clarias Batrachus and other from Africa. Clarias Garieptnus were interbred or crossed to raise fry survival. The new hybrids were found to have far better growth rate This is one of many achievements of the Institution. Almost all the study results are recorded. These records are sent to other fish research stations for coordina Uon. The concerned govern ment bodies are adviced through FRI on the basis of

outcome of the records One such important recommendation was. banning of jatka or juvenile fishing Indiscriminate fishing of Jatka resulted in large scale withdrawal of fish from the water bodies of the country A significant amount of fish was in short supply in the markets due to tills reason.

"Huge quantities of fish worth millions of taka can be exported if the water bodies were properly used." said Dr M A Mazid Director of Fisheries Research Institute while talking to the Daily Star "A number of foreign companies have shown their keen interest to invest in Bangladesh for fish production. Few Dutch companies are already dealing with their Bangladeshi partners for

processlng and packaging of fish for export to Europe." More interested foreign part ners can be attracted If private bodies took more initiatives; added Mazid who has great contribution, specially in the field of research.

Potential for fish output In the country can be considered as a boon, however, what is lacking is technology. The real know how must play a vital role among the fish farmers who have ever growing inter est to Increase fish production

Trainings are held periodically to transfer technology among extension workers and farmers. Methods are taught through practical studies of demonstration at the institute For technology dissemination and feedback to research. the institute undertakes collabora tlve programmes with the Department of Fisheries (DOF). Department of Agriculture Extension and different NGOs. Besides, the Institute pub llshed 20 training manuals for the trainees.

"Huge crowd gather to wit ness demonstration of Farming System Research (FSR) at Maskanda. some 20 kilometer away from Mymenslngh town " says M D Anwarul Islam, a Scientific Officer al (FSR) This enthusiasms shows peo pie do care in fish farming."

There are eight agroecofog leal zones of FSR which work in collaboration with Bangla desh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI). Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) and Sugarcane Research and Training Institute (SRT1|. The alm of FRS Is to Increase fish output from homestead ponds and ditches using agricultural wastes and by products.

"We try to transfer best knowledges to the Interested group to develop fisheries management system" added Islam who has bright new ambitions In this field.

Many non government or ganisatlon send extension wor kers for training at the Institution. eventually developing fish farming of a particular area

The majority of our fish farmers used to rely on their own methods of raising production but now its the other way 'round, they ask more questions than ever before." Islam further added.

The institution organises Internation and national work shops to exchange expertise and to discuas various problems. One such internation workshop was held Ui June 1989 on Fish Seed Production

The Institution, no doubt st ail. haa been established as a distinct academic discipline in the country's education sys tern