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Fish output falls short of demand

Country heavily dependent on 'culture'fisheries as 'capture'fish resources diminishing

REAZ AHMAD
National fisheries week begins today with the country's fish resources still falling short of the domestic requirements, and its production heavily dependent on 'culture' fisheries.
Once rich with aquatic biodiversity and sweet water fish species, Bangladesh witnessed a gradual shift in sourcing its fish proteins to culture fisheries from 'capture' fisheries over the last 20 years, fishery officials told The Daily Star yesterday.
Against an annual demand for three million tonnes of fish, the country could produce 2.5 million tonnes in fiscal year (FY) 2007-08. Fisheries and livestock ministry thinks production rose to 2.7 million tonnes in FY2008-09 (estimate being made).
But more importantly, the country is now getting over 60 per cent of its fish output from culture fisheries whereas only 20 years ago the situation was just the opposite with capture sweet water fish constituting 60 to 70 percent of the total fish production.
Officials noted that capture fish species are the home-grown ones rich in protein and taste, while many of tire culture ones are aliens introduced in domestic water bodies, and inferior in both taste and quality. There arc about 795 species of fish and shrimp available in the fresh and marine waters of Bangladesh.
As this year's national fisheries week kicks off with a rally in SEE PAGE 12 COL 4 FROM PAGE 1
the capital this morning, the government wants to pursue a policy of reversing the culturecapture fishery ratio by turning more floodplains capture fish habitation with the slogan 'fish in floodplains, recipe for a change.'
“Of the total fish output, only 0.6 million tonnes come from marine fishing and the rest from culture and capture fisheries roughly in a 65-35 ratio,” said Parikkhit Dutta Chowdhury, a joint secretary of fishery and livestock ministry. " We want to take this ratio more in favour of capture fish."
I Ie said, "Intrusion of aliens like African cat fish and Piranha in the name of culture fishery is not good for our rich heritage of home-grown sweet water fish species."
Experts blamed ignoring fish-friendly c c o environmental aspects during Irrigation and flood control infrastructure development over the last two decades for the diminishing contribution of capture fisheries to the national fish basket.
Besides, unabated pollution of natural water bodies including scores of rivers with industrial effluent, and grabbing of their shorelines by illegal encroachers are to be blamed for the decreasing capture fishes across the country, they said.
Citing an example of negligence towards fishery sector when it comes to policy issues, an expert referred to the recent developments on setting up of a deep-sea port at Sonadia. He noted with concern that fishery ministry has not yet been made part of an inter-ministerial consultation on study of its impact although it (proposed port) would affect the eco-system of marine life including fishes in a huge potential sea-zone.
Livestock and fishery sector together contributes around eight percent to the national income, which also is 32 percent of the total agricultural income. About 90 percent of the domestic requirement of animal protein comes from fish and livestock.
Md Ehsanul Bari, managing director of Grameen
Motsho O Pashusampad Foundation (GMPF), told The Daily Star yesterday that over the years, they succeeded in augmenting fish production by engaging poor people in developing fisheries in derelict ponds and water bodies in the country. The GMPF, a Grameen Bank subsidiary, managed over 800 water bodies since mid '80s to raise fisheries and for other income generating activities.
Officials of the ministry concerned spelt out plans for developing 'model fisheries' in a big way across the country from 2011.
Following today's national fisheries week rally in the city, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to announce tomorrow observance of the week and hand over awards to successful fish ventures at OsmanySmrity Auditorium.
A five-day fisheries fair will be held from August 1 on the premises of Bangladesh Shishu Academy .The fisheries minister will attend the closing function of fisheries week on August5.