Protect nature to protect fisheries Says Yunus
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Monday urged all to protect nature as a means of conserving Bangladesh’s fisheries resources.
“In nature-friendly cultivation lies the future of our fisheries.
Let us learn to respect and care for nature,” he said while inaugurating National Fisheries Week 2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
Speaking as chief guest, Prof Yunus described fish as both a blessing of nature and a gift from Almighty Allah.
He warned that indiscriminate destruction of natural habitats is pushing many fish species towards extinction and stressed the need for greater environmental awareness.
He criticised the dumping of waste into rivers and waterbodies, noting that such pollution ultimately returns to humans in harmful ways.
Highlighting the potential of the fisheries sector, he said only by showing humility towards nature can people continue to enjoy its benefits. “We love to eat fish-it is our favourite food.
But we often forget those who produce it,” he added, calling for genuine fishers to be brought under social safety net programmes to shield them from financial hardship.
On marine resources, Prof Yunus said Bangladesh’s seas offer vast but largely untapped opportunities.
Properly developed, he argued, marine fisheries could transform the country into a new economic frontier. He urged the identification of deep-sea fishing zones and recommended including the subject in university curricula.
Bangladesh, he noted, has already initiated discussions with friendly countries on coastal and marine conservation, and responses have been encouraging.
The Chief Adviser also called for curbing excessive pesticide use in agriculture and discouraging tobacco cultivation to safeguard fisheries.
He observed that unplanned infrastructure, reduced river navigability, and climate change are adversely affecting the sector, and stressed the need for integrated solutions.
Many indigenous fish species, he warned, are already disappearing due to poor management of water resources.
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Secretary (Routine Duty) Md Tofazzel Hossain, and Director General (Current Charge) of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf also addressed the event.
At the ceremony, 16 individuals and organisations were honoured with the Matshya Padak 2025 for their contributions to the sector.
National Fisheries Week 2025 began on Monday across the country to promote fisheries resources, encourage sustainable development and raise awareness of conservation. This year’s theme is: “Building sanctuaries makes the country rich with local fish.”