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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced plans to renovate unused ponds, haors, beels and other water bodies across Bangladesh, stock them with fish and allocate them to local young people to create jobs and boost fish production.
He made the announcement while inaugurating National Fisheries Week 2026 and distributing awards at Achmita George Institution ground in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, on Sunday afternoon.
Tarique said Bangladesh, with its extensive network of rivers and water bodies, has enormous potential for fish farming. Properly utilising even small areas of land and unused water bodies could help people become economically self-reliant, he said.
Under the initiative, unused ponds, haors, beels and other water bodies will be renovated and stocked with fish fry. The renovated water bodies will then be allocated among young people in the respective areas.
“This will create employment opportunities for young people while increasing fish production,” the prime minister said, adding that he had already instructed Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku to take necessary steps.
Highlighting the sector’s export potential, Tarique said Bangladesh earns significant foreign currency by exporting shrimp, fish and other fisheries products. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the country exported fish and fisheries products to around 52 countries, earning the equivalent of more than Tk 6,000 crore in foreign currency.
He said Asian countries are increasingly becoming major producers of freshwater fish, offering Bangladesh significant opportunities for further growth.
The prime minister also highlighted the fisheries sector’s contribution to food and nutrition security and employment. Millions of people are engaged directly or indirectly in fish farming, harvesting, transportation, processing and marketing, while the sector has helped increase incomes among marginalised communities.
Congratulating the recipients of this year’s fisheries awards, Tarique said entrepreneurs, traders, fish farmers and everyone involved in the sector had contributed to Bangladesh’s achievements.
Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated National Fisheries Week 2026 and presented National Fisheries Gold Awards to 14 individuals and organisations in 13 categories in recognition of their contributions to the sector.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Kishoreganj district BNP president and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mohammad Shariful Alam, district BNP general secretary and Kishoreganj-1 MP Mohammad Mazharul Islam, Kishoreganj-2 MP Advocate Mohammad Jalal Uddin, senior fisheries officials, local administrators, fish farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs and others attended the event.