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Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid on Monday called for increased budget allocations for the fisheries sector alongside greater transparency, accountability and measures to prevent financial waste.
He made the call while addressing a workshop titled “Budget and Government Development Vision in the Fisheries Sector” as the chief guest at Matsya Bhaban in the capital.
Noting that the identity of “Mache-Bhate Bangali” is deeply rooted in the country’s fisheries sector, the minister said the availability of native fish species had declined due to the shrinking of natural water bodies and environmental changes.
“Therefore, alongside boosting production, priority must be given to preserving the natural habitats of fish,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of fish sanctuaries, Amin Ur Rashid said simply launching projects and spending money was not enough. Field-level verification was needed to determine whether the sanctuaries were actually effective, he said.
“The primary purpose of sanctuaries is to create opportunities for fish breeding and reproduction. Regular reviews are necessary to examine where money was spent, what was actually accomplished and its impact on overall fish production,” the minister said.
He also called for greater vigilance in preparing lists of fishermen, warning that the inclusion of fake or ineligible beneficiaries deprives genuine fishermen of government assistance.
Local officials must play a more responsible role in verifying beneficiaries, he said.
Referring to deep-sea fishing, the minister said Bangladesh had significant potential to commercially harvest tuna and other marine resources in international waters.
“Instead of merely conducting surveys and spending money, a clear plan is required to translate survey findings into actual marine harvesting. To tap deep-sea resources, Bangladesh must develop skilled manpower, suitable vessels and technological capacity,” he said.
Speaking as the special guest, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku stressed the need to encourage young entrepreneurs and provide fish farmers with the necessary advice and technical support.
He instructed field-level officials to regularly inspect fish farms and monitor their activities.
The state minister said the government was working to increase freshwater fish production, expand exports and bring canals, rivers and other water bodies under fish cultivation.
Pollution-free water bodies, navigability of rivers, fish processing and export promotion are vital for the sustainable development of the sector, he said.
The workshop was chaired by Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak.
Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain attended as the honoured guest, while Public Service Commission Member Prof ASM Golam Hafiz participated as a discussant. Senior officials from the ministry and the Department of Fisheries also attended the workshop.