Fisheries need better deal

Fisheries need better deal

The fisheries sector is yet to get the importance it deserves in view of the country's growing population which is still increasing by 1.8 million every year despite a fall in its growth rate. While meat is beyond the reach of most of the people, fish alone meets their nutritional needs. A country like ours, dotted with countless rivers and rivulets, has great potential to fetch a good harvest of fish given necessary care and support. It is said, in oceans, rivers, water bodies, fish culture creates gold. Apart from being the major source of protein for the nation, fisheries are also a major economic activity, accounting for a significant part of the country's exports while employing hundreds of thousands of otherwise unemployed people. Bangladesh's rivers and canals were once full of delicious fishes. But overpopulation and negligence have led to quick depletion of fish resources. The National Fisheries Week is held annually to highlight the importance of a total national mobilisation to cultivate fishes in every pond, canal and river. 'Maachhey- Bhatey Bangali' (Bangalees live on rice and fish), this maxim was coined due to our many rivers, haors, ponds and huge flooded areas and natural water bodies during rainy season as well as fertile agriculture lands.

Sadly, many of the low-lying areas, flood flow zones and ponds have been filled up because of negligence for a long time. The habitats and spawning grounds of fishes have been reduced over the years due to pesticides, urban and industrial pollution, unplanned construction of roads and embankments. Harvesting of fish fries, gravid and broods has led to loss of fisheries output to an unexpected level.

The government needs to accord priority to the fisheries sector. It can enhance public awareness on conservation of all varieties of fishes in flooded areas and natural water bodies and lay importance on ensuring strict execution of the existing laws in this regard. The government has already enacted the Water Bodies Management Policy- 2009, Fisheries Hatchery Act-2010 and Fish Food and Animal Food Act-2010, framing of the Guideline of Microcredit for Fisheries Sector and Shrimp Plot Renewal and Lease Policy-2013 but their proper enforcement can contribute immensely to further development of fisheries in the country.
Navigability of Modhumoti, Gorai, Jamuna, Buriganga and Kushiyara rivers need to be improved through capital dredging. Water flow in the south-western part of the country has increased and salinity has decreased due to the dredging of the Gorai and Modhumoti rivers. As a result, biodiversity of the Sundarbans and adjacent areas has been improved along with increasing the number of safe habitats of fishes. The resolution of the dispute with Myanmar and India should prompt the government to take multifaceted initiatives for development of the fisheries resource and its exploitation from this vast area.
Fish production in Bangladesh increased by 8,00,000 metric tonnes over the last five years enhancing daily average public intake of fish to 52 gram from 45 gram. The present government has taken measures for increasing production of the national fish Hilsha through protecting Jatka and gravid fishes. The government has provided fishermen with food during ban on fishing Jatka. Three modern labs were also established in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna for quality control of exportable varieties of fishes while setting up of an internationally standard reference lab is near completion. Bangladesh now needs enough efficient workforce for fish processing. They are to be equipped with necessary training.

Once fishermen were considered a neglected segment in Bangladesh society. But the government has changed the situation. Around two million fishermen were given ID cards to reach benefits from the government to their hands. That is why a thrust should be made to promote fisheries in a planned and coordinated way. Vanishing traditional fishes deserve to be cultivated extensively with technical support from experts of the Fisheries Ministry.

arjayster@gmail.com

Source Link: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/07/21/39089/Fisheries-need-better-deal

Source: Financial Express Bangladesh

Updated Date: 4th January, 2017