Bangladesh ranked 3rd in the world in inland fish production in 2018, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda quoting the latest report of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Bangladesh's position is now after China and India in inland fish production, which ranked first and second respectively this year, while the country's position was the fifth in 2017.
Narayon Chandra made the disclosure while speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat in the city on Wednesday on the occasion of the National Fisheries Week-2018 (from July 18 to July 24), said a handout. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the week on July 19 at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Citing the records of Bangladesh Economic Review, the minister said the fisheries sector contributed 3.57 percent to the national GDP in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-2018 while 25.30 percent to agriculture.
In the FY 2017-2018, Bangladesh earned Tk 4,500 crore by exporting at least 69,000 metric tons of fish and fish products, the minister said adding that the average per capita fish consumption in the country is 62.58 grams every day against the daily requirement of 60 grams. Turning to maritime resources, Narayon Chandra said survey vessel RV Meen Sandhani has already identified 298 species of fish, 23 species of shrimp and some other fish species within Bangladesh's maritime boundary.
On the eve of the National Fisheries Week, Narayan Chanda said Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in fish production as now the peoples per capita fish consumption reach to 62.58 grams which is surplus than their daily protein demand as per the report of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
Like every year, the national fisheries week is being observed from July 18-28 across the country with a view to maintain continuous success of the sector and to involve and make the people conscious with its development, the minister added.
Citing the fisheries production in 2016-17, the fisheries minister said the country had produced 84,000 metric tons more fishes in 2016-17 fiscal year. Country's fisheries production target was 40.50 lakh metric tons while the country had produced 41.34 lakh metric tons in 2016-17 fiscal year, he told the newsmen.
To maintain sustainable development of the sector, he said the government has taken advance programs including jatka conservation and development of hilsha resources, development of internal fish sanctuaries and conservation of natural breeding places, environment and social friendly shrimp culture extension, development, management and sustainable catching of sea fish resources and health and save fish supply and fish and fish products export.
In addition to this, the government will set up 20 marine surveillance check-post, provide license to all fishing trawlers and vessel within 2030, bring at least 5 lakh fishermen families under social security program, recognize fishing ground within 2030, set up model village at the coastal region and extension of sea and costal fisheries program, the minister noted.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary M Raisul Alam Mondol, Director General (DG) of the DoF Md Golzar Hossain, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Chairman Dildar Ahmed, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) Director General (DG) Dr Yahya Mahmud, among others, were present at the press briefing.
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