KAU stresses sustainable fisheries management

Khulna Agricultural University (KAU) on Tuesday organised a rally, fish fry release and discussion meeting, stressing sustainable management of the country’s fisheries resources.

The programme, organised by the university’s Faculty of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at its temporary Campus-1, was held as part of National Fisheries Week 2026 under the theme, “A Self-Reliant Country Through Silver Fisheries.”

Speakers at the discussion stressed the need to conserve indigenous fish species, restore fisheries resources in open water bodies and increase fish production through planned and science-based stocking of fish fry.

As part of the programme, fish fry were released into a water body on the campus. Later, KAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Asaduzzaman Sarker addressed the discussion as the chief guest.

The vice-chancellor said research-based knowledge and modern technology must be properly applied to conserve the country’s fisheries resources and increase production.

“Simply releasing fish fry is not enough. The success of such programmes requires protecting aquatic ecosystems, ensuring water quality, selecting suitable species and regularly monitoring the growth and survival of released fish,” he said.

He also stressed the need to take university research findings to the field so that fish farmers, fishermen and entrepreneurs can benefit from them.

For this, he called for stronger cooperation among universities, the Department of Fisheries, fisheries research organisations, industry and local communities.

KAU Treasurer Prof Dr Shamim Ahmed Kamal Uddin Khan, Khulna District Fisheries Officer Md Badruzzaman, and Dr Azhar Ali, head and principal scientific officer of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute’s Brackishwater Fisheries Research Centre in Paikgachha, Khulna, attended the programme as special guests.

Dr Md Mehedi Alam, representative of the dean of KAU’s Faculty of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, presided over the discussion.

Teachers, students, officials and representatives of the fisheries sector also attended the programme.

The event called for collective efforts to conserve the country’s fisheries resources, protect indigenous fish species and boost production through modern, scientific and sustainable fisheries management.