Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Monday asked the authorities to form a committee to determine the actual marine fish-breeding period and ban on fishing in the maritime territory.
"It's our main problem that when Bangladesh imposed ban on fishing, the Indian fishers intrude our territory for catching fishes. We have already informed the Indian government about the matter. But, we have to determine the actual period of fish breeding and imposing ban. In this regard, a committee would be formed comprising the representatives of the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), Coast Gurad, Navy and Riverine Police and other authorities," she said while addressing a workshop in Dhaka.
The Department of Fisheries organized the workshop titled as 'Refixing the ban period on catching fish on Bangladesh territory of the Bay of Bengal.'
She also asked the BFRI scientists to research on the fish-breeding period for refixing the ban period and inform the public.
Emphasizing on ensuring the scope of growing up marine fishes including Hilsa after breeding, the Adviser said, "Hilsa is our natural resource and gift from God. The fishers are meeting our demand of protein. So, it is our responsibility to ensuring all facilities for the fishers for saving the fishes. It is also our responsibility to oversee that whether the people are getting adequate food."
She also urged the Industries Ministry to take necessary measures to prevent production of illegal nets.
Department of Fisheries Additional Director General Dr Md Abdur Rouf presided over the workshop while Ministry Additional Secretary ATM Mostafa Kamal, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Chairman Suraiya Akhter Jahan, BFRI Director General Dr Anuradha Bhadra, scientists and stakeholders also attended the workshop.
