Staff Reporter :
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Wednesday emphasized the dual need to boost farmed fish production and protect endangered native species, warning that without immediate and coordinated efforts, the country risks losing valuable indigenous fish varieties.
“To ensure sufficient access to protein for all citizens, we must safeguard our endangered native species and adopt sustainable and efficient practices in farmed fish production,” she said.
Farida Akhter made the remarks while addressing a workshop as the chief guest titled “Infrastructure Development Project (Phase-I) to Increase the Capacity of Government Fish Farms and Fish Production,” held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Auditorium. The programme was organised by the Department of Fisheries.
She pointed out that many individuals are entering commercial fish farming without proper planning, which can lead to inefficiencies. She urged fisheries officials to intensify training and awareness efforts to encourage more structured and sustainable practices.
“The taste and nutritional value of indigenous fish are unmatched—they’re a cherished source of animal protein for people of all ages,” she added, noting that Bangladesh’s rich fish biodiversity is rare globally. However, she warned that the number of native species is rapidly declining.
