85 lakh tonnes of fish to be produced by 2041

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim stated that the country aims to produce 85 lakh tonnes of fish by 2041.

The aim is 1.8 times greater than the production of 47.59 lakh tonnes during the 2021–22 fiscal year, he said.

The information was disclosed by the minister at a news conference held at Department of Fisheries conference room in the capital as part of observing National Fisheries Week 2023 on Monday.

The minister stated that numerous measures have been taken by the government to guarantee the safety of locally produced fish for human consumption.

Rezaul Karim said the government has established laboratories throughout the nation that meet international requirements for the production and export of safe and wholesome fish.

The government is placing a high priority on the several uses of fish in addition to raising fish output, he said, adding that the nation's production of both conventional and non-conventional fish is being increased.

He mentioned that 39 species of extinct native fish have been brought back by scientists and experts.

In order to preserve small indigenous fish, the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute established a "live gene bank" in 2020. Over 100 species have been included so far, he continued.

Data from the fisheries ministry show that 52 countries across the world receive various types of fish from Bangladesh.

/MHK/