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Sunday | September 20, 2026 | Dhaka

2,575 fingerlings released at National Zoo lake

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:01 AM, 20 September 2026

The government is carrying out a nationwide fingerling release programme to conserve indigenous fish species and increase overall production, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku MP said on Saturday.

Sultan Salauddin Tuku said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme in Kishoreganj during National Fisheries Fortnight. Following the inauguration, fingerlings were being released in districts and upazilas across the country in phases.

He made the remarks after attending a fingerling release ceremony at the Bangladesh National Zoo lake in Dhaka, organised by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the 2026-27 fiscal year budget.

The programme covers key institutional water bodies across Dhaka metropolitan area and is part of a wider nationwide drive.

“This drive is being implemented with the direct involvement of local lawmakers, public representatives, and fisheries officers,” he said.

He said the government’s primary objective was to increase fish production while protecting indigenous species from extinction.

The state minister said freshwater fish production had continued to grow and that the country was not facing any significant shortage of fish despite its rising population.

He said the government was working to increase production in line with demand, while the number of fish farmers was also increasing.

To support marginal farmers, the government was providing various forms of assistance, and fish farmers would soon be brought under the “Krishak Card” benefits scheme, he said.

Initiatives were also being taken to provide soft loans and financial incentives to strengthen the rural economy.

Responding to a question about feed quality and antibiotic use, Tuku said awareness campaigns were being conducted to promote safe fish production.

The government was providing regular training to discourage unnecessary antibiotic use, while field-level officials were helping farmers adopt modern scientific techniques to reduce production costs and waste, he said.

“The government is keeping a close watch to ensure standard quality in fish feed. Regular mobile court drives are being conducted to curb low-quality feed manufacturing and marketing, protecting farmers and ensuring consumers receive safe fish,” he added.

At the National Zoo lake, 250kg of fingerlings were released to preserve biodiversity and increase native fish production.

The release included 100kg of Rui, 75kg of Katla and 75kg of Kalibaus. In total, around 2,575 fingerlings measuring 10-15cm were released, comprising 1,100 Rui, 600 Katla and 875 Kalibaus.

Reserved seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed, DLS Director General Md Shahzaman Khan, DoF Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Bangladesh National Zoo Director Dr Md Shahinur Alam, DoF Dhaka Division Director Md Ahsan Hasib Khan, Central Poultry Farm Director Zinat Sultana, Zoo Curator Md Habibur Rahman and Dhaka District Fisheries Officer Md Roknuzzaman were present.

The event was organised by the Dhaka District Fisheries Office.