Protect water bodies, ensure sustainable fisheries: PM

KISHOREGANJ, Aug 16: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called for greater public awareness and coordinated efforts to save rivers, canals, haors, beels and other water bodies from pollution, saying safeguarding the environment is essential to protecting the country’s fisheries resources.

“If we are truly conscious and want to protect our environment, and if we want to save our fish, then we must also pay attention to protecting the environment. We must safeguard our natural environment,” he said, pointing to the growing pollution of water bodies by plastic bottles, tissue paper and other waste.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while inaugurating National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 at the George Institute Mini Stadium in Achmita union of Katiadi upazila.

The fortnight is being observed across the country from August 16 to 30 under the theme “A self-sufficient country through silver fish, Bangladesh first.”

Tarique Rahman said fisheries play a vital role in meeting the country’s nutritional needs while creating employment through fish farming, catching, transportation, processing and marketing.

“There is a very important issue closely linked to fisheries that is the environment. For whatever reason, we are seeing that the environment of our canals, rivers, haors, beels and other water bodies is gradually being degraded by various forms of waste generated by our daily activities, including tissue paper, plastics and discarded water bottles,” he said.

The Prime Minister said protecting the environment will enable people to live in a healthy environment, allow children to grow up in healthy surroundings, and help the country develop its fisheries and livestock sectors sustainably.

He urged everyone to work together to conserve aquatic resources, promote environment-friendly and sustainable fish farming and distribution, and increase fish production, harvesting and productivity so that Bangladesh can become a nutritious, self-reliant and prosperous country.

“To build such a Bangladesh, all of us must work with awareness, sincerity and dedication,” Tarique Rahman said.

He also called for the restoration and productive use of the country’s ponds, haors, beels and other water bodies to expand fish production, create employment and raise incomes, particularly among young people and marginalised communities.�"UNB