Record in Hilsa production: State minister for Fisheries

State minister for fisheries and livestock Ashraf Ali Khan Khosru on Wednesday said that the country has exceeded the previous record in producing Hilsa, bagging the first position in the world, reports BSS.

“For the first time in history of 46 years after independence, the country has surpassed the previous record of Hilsa production which was 299,000 tonnes in 2008-2009. In the current fiscal 517,000 tonnes of Hilsa was produced,” he told a press conference marking the 27th National Fisheries Week at the Department of Fisheries (DoF).

The state minister said that besides holding the first position in producing Hilsa, Bangladesh now stands fourth in producing Tilapia, third in producing open water fish and fifth in cultivated fisheries.

He said that with the directions of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a ‘Hilsa Development Trust Fund’ involving Taka 30.5 million has been established, for sustainable production of Hilsa in the country.

The fund will also provide emergency financial security to the fishermen, he added.

The state minister said the government has taken initiative to introduce 10 long-liner commercial fishing trawlers and seven purse seiners to catch deep sea fish side by side with increasing production of Hilsa.

The conference was told that for the first time on 26 June this year, 3,188 square kilometres in Nijhum Dwip in Hatiya has been declared as ‘Marine Conservation Area’, for the conservation of the biodiversity there.

Moreover, recent research and artificial breeding of rare fish has increased their availability in the market.

Earlier, at 8.00 in the morning, a colourful procession led by the state minister was brought out from the fisheries department.

To mark the ‘National Fisheries week-2019, the prime minister is expected to distribute ‘National Fisheries Award 2019’ at 10.00am today (Thursday) among 17 institutions and individuals for their contributions to the sector.

A weeklong fishery fair will be held on the premises of the Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka.

Besides, three-day fisheries fair will be organised at the district level. A five-day technology based fisheries fair will be held at Mymensingh.

Fish fries will also be released in ponds, haors, canals and rivers across the country during the week.