Call for sustainable management of resources, safe fish production

National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 began in districts on Sunday under the theme “A self-reliant nation through silver fish, Bangladesh first” and with a call for sustainable management of fisheries resources and safe fish production.

On this occasion, various programmes including colourful rallies, discussion meetings, award distributions and fish fry release were organised across the districts.

GOPALGANJ: The chief guest of the programmes initiated by the District Department of Fisheries here was Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Arif-uz-Zaman.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Habibullah and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Kaushik Ahmed were the special guests in these programmes.

Senior Sadar Upazila Fisheries Officer Debla Chakraborty, farm manager Tanjila, Adv Taufiqul Islam, Assistant Upazila Fisheries Officer Sayedul Islam and officers and employees of the District and Upazila Fisheries Offices were present in these programmes and the discussion meeting was held under the chairmanship of DFO Md Kamrul Islam.

GAIBANDHA: A fish-release ceremony held in Gaibandha to mark National Fisheries Fortnight has come under sharp criticism following allegations that fingerlings released into a municipal park pond for a photo session were subsequently netted and transferred to a pond at the Deputy Commissioner’s official residence.

The incident has sparked anger among local residents and raised questions about the transparency and integrity of government programmes.

National Fisheries Fortnight began in Gaibandha on Sunday with a series of events jointly organised by the district administration and the District Fisheries Office. The programme opened with a ceremony at the auditorium of the District Shilpakala Academy, followed by a colourful rally through the town’s main streets. Later, in the presence of invited guests, officials released fish fingerlings into a pond at the municipal park as part of the fortnight’s activities.

However, allegations surfaced that shortly after the guests left and the cameras stopped rolling, the same fish were caught from the pond using nets and taken to the pond at the DC’s official residence.

According to the allegations, the removal happened in the presence of an official identified as Jilani, who was reportedly responsible for the programme.

Critics questioned whether a national government programme should be reduced to a symbolic ceremony for photographs rather than serving its intended public purpose.

When contacted, the District Fisheries Officer (DFO) expressed regret over the incident and said he had not been aware of the matter beforehand.

He said an explanation would be sought in writing from Jilani, particularly over why the DC’s name was allegedly invoked in connection with the transfer of the fish. He added that departmental action would be taken if an investigation establishes wrongdoing.

JOYPURHAT: On this occasion, a colourful rally began from the Upazila Parishad premises that paraded through the town’s main roads and ended on the district administration premises.

State Minister for Public Administration and Food Abdul Bari, MP, attended the discussion meeting as the chief guest. Zilla Parishad Administrator and District BNP Senior Joint Convener Masud Rana Pradhan was the special guest.

DC Md Al Mamun Mia chaired the meeting at the DC office conference room. SP Shahnaz Begum, District BNP Convener Md Golzar Hossain, Joypurhat Chamber of Commerce and Industries Vice-President Shams Matin and Press Club President Abu Bakar Siddique, among others, addressed the event.

Officials and employees from government agencies and non-governmental and development organisations also attended the programme.

KHULNA: Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said on Sunday that Bangladeshis are known as a “fish and rice” nation and that the country is blessed with abundant natural resources and scenic beauty.

“The government is working to develop canals and wetlands and properly manage water resources to advance the country,” he said while inaugurating National Fisheries Fortnight in Khulna. 

The Department of Fisheries and Khulna District Administration jointly organised the event at the deputy commissioner's office, where Nitati Roy Chowdhury attended a discussion and award ceremony as chief guest.

Despite droughts, floods, excessive rainfall and other natural disasters, Bangladesh produces large quantities of crops and fruits, the minister said.

He urged farmers, fishermen, artisans and people from all walks of life to work together to achieve self-sufficiency.

“Imports must be reduced by increasing domestic production,” he said. “In particular, we can meet domestic demand for fish and earn foreign currency by increasing production and exporting fish,” he said.

He called for unity to build a prosperous, self-reliant and developed Bangladesh through collective efforts.

DC Hoore Jannat chaired the event. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Billal Hossain Khan, Divisional Fisheries Office Director Md Jahangir Alam and SP Md Sajjadur Rahman Russell attended as special guests. DFO Md Badruzzaman delivered the welcome address.

Government and private-sector officials, fish farmers, fishermen, fish exporters and representatives of fish-feed producers and traders attended.

The minister presented crests to two successful fish farmers for their contributions to the sector.

Earlier, a colourful rally led by the Minister paraded through several city streets from the Circuit House before ending at the DC office.

Later, Nitai Roy Chowdhury released fish fry into a pond on the premises of the divisional commissioner's office.

NARAYANGANJ: On this occasion, a colourful rally began from the front of the DC office on Sunday morning, parading through several roads before returning to the office.

A discussion meeting was later held in the conference room of the DC office, with DC Md Raihan Kabir as the chief guest. Additional SP Md Ibrahim, Narayanganj Development Authority Chairman Mashukul Islam Rajib, Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Advocate Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu and Sadar UNO SM Fayez Uddin attended as special guests. DFO Dr Ayesha Siddika chaired the meeting.

Speakers said Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader in fisheries, with government support helping drive significant growth in the sector. They said fish and fish products are being exported to meet domestic and international demand.

They also said the government is working to expand fish production by opening wetlands across the country and called for greater public awareness and participation in protecting native fish.

Several fish farmers were honoured at the meeting. The event concluded with the release of fish fry into a pond in front of the Narayanganj District Jail.

PANCHAGARH: State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, MP, said on Sunday that past irregularities and corruption have left the country’s power sector in crisis and that the government is working to restore normal electricity supplies.

Azad made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting marking National Fish Fortnight at the Panchagarh District Administration conference room.

He said the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has added pressure to the energy and power sectors. The government should therefore give priority to solar power generation, he said.

The government plans to generate solar power through private investors and community initiatives using rooftops, unused land and riverbanks, Azad said. He expressed hope that the power shortage would be overcome by December and that the country would eventually generate a surplus.

Azad also called for political unity in Panchagarh, saying opposition parties should offer constructive criticism and that the government would consider their suggestions.

On fisheries, he said fish is an important source of animal protein and urged greater production to improve nutrition and livelihoods. Panchagarh currently has a fish deficit of about 4 metric tons, he said, calling for the shortfall to be eliminated before the next fishing season.

The government is dredging 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals over five years and plans to plant 25 crore trees along their banks, Azad said. He urged wider fish cultivation in those waterways.

The event was organised by the district administration and the Department of Fisheries. Earlier, Azad inaugurated the fortnight by releasing balloons and led activities including the release of fish fry into a pond at the Sadar Upazila Parishad. Several fish farmers were honoured for their contributions.

PIROJPUR: On this occasion, a colourful rally was brought out in the town that paraded main roads and ended on the Sadar Upazila Parishad premises.
 
After formal inauguration, a discussion meeting was held at Shaheed Omar Faruk auditorium where DC Abu Sayeed attended as chief guest while Zilla Parishad Administrator Principal Alamgir Hosain, Additional DC (General) Md Alauddin Bhuiyan Jony, Additional SP Nasrin Jahan, Sadar UNO Mamunur Rashid were the special guests. DFO Sanjib Sannamat chaired the event.

Extension of fish culture, creating social mobilisation and awareness among people especially unemployed youth on the issue are the prime objectives of the programme. 

Speakers also said, “Fish is the main source of our protein. In our national economy, fishes are contributing a lot. Bangladesh achieved significant position in fish production across the world. Marine fish and shrimp earn foreign currencies.”

RAJBARI: On this occasion, a colourful rally was formally inaugurated with the release of balloons by DC Afroza Parveen from the front of the District Officers’ Club in the afternoon that paraded through the town’s main roads and returned to the same venue. 

A discussion meeting was later held at the DC office chaired by DC Afroza Parveen. SP Mohammad Manjur Morshed, Civil Surgeon Dr SM Masud, BNP leader Gazi Ahsan Habib, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Rajbari Unit Vice-President Professor Manjurul Alam Dulal and DFO Md Mahbub Ul Haque, along with fisheries officials and representatives of fishermen's organisations, attended the meeting.

Speakers said sustainable management, conservation and increased production of fishery resources can contribute to economic development. Fishermen welcomed the government's initiative and called for continued programmes to ensure sustainable fish production and conservation.

DFO Mahbub Ul Haque said Rajbari produced 33,252 metric tons of fish this year, against annual demand of 24,834 metric tons. He said 295 fishermen received training last year, while 659 metric tons of fish feed and 450 kilograms of fish fry were distributed among 8,765 fishermen.

He added regular operations in the Padma River are being conducted to protect natural fisheries resources, contributing to increased production of hilsa and other fish species.

The DC said greater awareness among fishermen, enforcement of conservation laws and alternative employment opportunities would help further increase fish production.