Govt aims to increase fish production to 8.5m tonnes by 2041

The government has set a target to increase fish production in the country by 3.75 million tonnes to 8.5 million tonnes within next 19 years.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Rezaul Karim revealed the information at a press conference organised at the Directorate of Fisheries in Dhaka on Monday, marking the National Fisheries Week 2023.

He said the target of fish production by 2041 has been set at 8.5 million tonnes, which is 1.8 times higher than the current production. The government has taken various steps to ensure that the fish produced is safe for human health, he added.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, the country produced 4.75 million tonnes of fish in the fiscal year 2022.

The National Fisheries Week is being observed across the country from July 24 to July 30 with this year’s theme ‘Nirapad Mache Vorbo Desh, Gorbo Smart Bangladesh’ (Let’s the country be filled with safe fish production and Build Smart Bangladesh).

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has taken various programs in the country on the occasion of the National Fisheries Week. As part of the programme, a colourful procession was brought out from Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on the first day of the week.

The minister also said the government has formulated the `Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Act 2020’ aiming to ensure safe fish production. All the vessels involved in fishing are being equipped with mechanical systems to monitor them.

Besides, this method is being used to know the location of fishing boats in case of accidents. Thus the digitised system has been added to the fisheries sector, he added. The minister further said the government has built international standard laboratories in the country for safe and healthy fish production and supply to the country and abroad.

He said Bangladesh exports fish to 52 countries in the world. In the financial year 2022-23, the country earned Tk 4,790 crore by exporting about 70,000 tonnes of fish and livestock products. Foreign currency earned through fish export is contributing to the development of the country, he added.