‘Increased monitoring for safe fish feed, medicines’
National Desk :’Increased monitoring for safe fish feed, medicines’
Farida Akhter, Adviser on Fisheries and Livestock, stated that in order to address the various existing challenges faced by fish farmers, monitoring in the market is being increased to ensure the supply of safe fish feed and medicines.
She emphasized that the use of unsafe feed and medicines could make the fish produced hazardous for human consumption. Therefore, unsafe feed will not be allowed to enter the market.
The adviser made these remarks while delivering the keynote speech as the chief guest at the International Fisheries Conference and Exhibition-2025, organized by the Faculty of Fisheries at Rajshahi University (RU) in the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium earlier yesterday.
The Adviser highlighted that approximately 40 percent of the total fish demand of the country is met solely by fish produced in Rajshahi.
Carp species produced in this region are in high demand among the people across the country and among the Bangladeshi diaspora residing in various countries worldwide.
Recognizing this enormous demand, the government is taking special initiatives, particularly for the export of carp species abroad.
She further stated that while increasing artificial fish farming, natural fish production in canals, wetlands, rivers, and haors should continue. Farmers are urged to ensure that natural fish production is not disrupted.
Referring to the risks posed by climate change, the Adviser noted that the recent COP conference in Brazil expressed concerns over global fish production.
Rising temperatures are causing fish in ponds to die due to heat stress. She emphasized the importance of learning internationally applied technologies and creating a suitable environment for fish survival.
She also mentioned that formulating a fisheries cultivation policy is a crucial step.
This policy will clarify the responsibilities of farmers and facilitate easier resolution of various issues.
During her speech, she urged everyone to cooperate in hilsa conservation efforts and advised that ponds for fish farming should be excavated on barren lands rather than agricultural lands.
The keynote was presented by Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain of the Department of Fisheries, Rajshahi University.
The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman Mondal, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Chair of the Summit Organizing Committee.
Special guests included Dr. ANM. Bazlur Rashid, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi, and Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General of the Department of Fisheries.
The chief patron of the event was Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib, Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University.
Teachers, students, fish farmers, and senior officials from government and private sectors were also present.