Protect nature to save fish species: CA

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged all to come forward to protect nature, aiming to conserve the country's fisheries resources. 

"Let's learn to show honour to nature; let's learn to be kind to nature," he told the inaugural session of the National Fisheries Week-2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on Monday.

Speaking as the chief guest, Prof Yunus said the fish is a gift of nature and it is a gift of Almighty Allah. 

He mentioned that people have been indiscriminately destroying nature, the habitat of fish, and that is why they have to think of being kind to nature, aiming to conserve fish species.

The chief adviser said wastes are being dumped into water bodies indiscriminately, and people do not pay heed to the consequences of the waste disposal, as those are, in return, coming to them as poison.

Noting that there is immense potential in the country's fisheries sector and there remains concern too, he said, if they show modesty to nature, they will be able to enjoy nature's gift - fish.

"We love to eat fish. Fish is our favourite food. But, we do not think about those who are involved in producing fish," Prof Yunus said.

He stressed bringing the actual fishers under the coverage of the social safety net programmes to protect them from financial hardship.

About the marine potential, the chief adviser said the sea is waiting for Bangladesh, but it still remains untapped.

The marine fisheries sector can create a new Bangladesh, he said, underscoring the need for identifying the deep-sea fishing areas to explore marine potential as an industry.

Putting emphasis on carrying out research on marine fisheries, Prof Yunus said the issue of deep-sea fishing should be included in the university curriculum.

He said Bangladesh has already talked to its friendly countries about the conservation of the coastal region and marine resources, and the states are responding positively.

In addition, the chief adviser stressed stopping the unchecked use of pesticides in agriculture and tobacco cultivation with a view to protecting the country's fisheries resources.

He observed that unplanned infrastructures, poor navigability of rivers and climate change are having an impact on the country's fisheries sector.

So, Prof Yunus said integrated measures must be taken to this end.

Many indigenous fish species are disappearing from nature due to a lack of proper management of water bodies, he said. 

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Secretary (Routine Duty) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Md Tofazzel Hossain and Director General (Current Charge) of the Department of Fisheries, Dr Md Abdur Rouf, also spoke on the occasion.

At the inaugural ceremony, 16 individuals and organisations were awarded 'Matshya Padak-2025' in recognition of their contributions to the fisheries sector.

The National Fisheries Week 2025 began across the country on Monday with the aim of enhancing fisheries resources, ensuring sustainable development and raising public awareness about conservation.

This year's theme is 'building sanctuaries makes the country rich with local fish'.