Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called for participation of all concerned in turning fish cultivation into a social movement. She said it can be a 'very successful and effective' weapon for poverty alleviation.
"I believe it is possible to generate employment for the huge population and enhance income through further development and expansion of the sector," she told the inaugural function of the National Fish Fortnight-2005 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.
The slogan of this year's fish fortnight is 'Haor-baor-flood plains are gold mines for fish cultivation' (Haor-baor-plabon bhumi, matshya chasher sonarkhoni).
Hoping that the country would be successful in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in poverty reduction by increasing fish production, she called upon all to be more caring and active for the development and expansion of fish resources, preservation of biodiversity and maintaining balance of aquatic environment.
Khaleda listed a number of steps taken by the government for promotion of fisheries sector and said the rate of fish production per hectare is still much lower compared to that in other countries.
"Therefore, we have to ensure successful application of proper
planning, scientific methods and modern technology," she said.
She also suggested diversity in fish cultivation and making proper use of every unused water bodies, creating facilities for breeding of small indigenous fish species and forward and backward linkage industries related to fish cultivation and processing.
Presided over by Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah Al Noman, the function was also addressed by Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abdul Karim and Director General of the Department of Fisheries Nasiruddin Ahmed.
The Prime Minister formally launched the two-week national programme by releasing fish fries in the Crescent Lake in between the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and Zia Udyan.
She distributed National Fish Fortnight Award-2005 among 23 persons and organisations in 10 categories for their outstanding contributions to the development of fisheries sector.
of the 23 awardees, 11 got gold medals, seven silver medals and five bronze medals. The recipients of gold medals include Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, M Shamsuzzoha Khan, MP, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Dr M Altaf Hossain and television personality Shaikh Siraj.
Khaleda said the government has taken multifarious programmes to materialise the immense potentials in fisheries sector.
Fish production increased by more 3.5 metric tons in last five years while export earning rose by over Taka 900 crore, she said.
The Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research in Washington honoured Bangladesh with outstanding Partnership Award-2004 for its success in society-based fisheries management, she added.
The Prime Minister reminded the officials in fisheries sector that social movement and revolution are a continuous process which can not be confined to a day or month and asked them to work round the year to increase fish resources.
She also directed them to work with vision, determination, honesty and devotion along with people and fish professionals. otherwise, the silver revolution would not be successful completely, she said.
Referring to this year's slogan of the fish fortnight, she said all must realise the essence of the slogan and hoped that the concerned persons would implement the programme in such a way that would ensure participation of people and benefit of the fish farmers.
Khaleda said at present 63 percent of the total demand for protein comes from fisheries sector and the sector account for five percent of national income.
Livelihood of 1.20 crore people depends directly or indirectly on fisheries sector which fetched foreign exchange worth Tk 2.5 crore in 2004-05, she added.
The Prime Minister highlighted some of the government programmes for development of fisheries sector, including production of high quality fries, making hatcheries and fish sanctuaries, formulating new policies for management of water bodies and allocating credits for society-based fish cultivation in paddy fields.
She said production of hilsha fish increased by 56 thousand tons in 2003-04 following government measures to check 'jatka' (hilsha fry) catching. A three-year long programme has been undertaken involving Tk 10 crore in this regard, she added.
The government has taken extensive infrastructure development programmes, including setting up of 20 shrimp landing stations and service centres for promotion of the potential shrimp sector, she added.
Khaleda directed the officials of the fisheries ministry to take measures so that the country can procure fish resources in its vast sea areas.