Save mother hilsa for sustainable harvests
Pointing out that hilsa fishing ban periods varied from year to year, discussants at a roundtable yesterday stressed more scientific efforts for preserving the mothers to ensure a sustainable rate of harvest.
They also suggested the government continue monitoring whether there was a continuation of present bumper harvests in the next two to three years before allowing exports.
Bangla daily Prothom Alo, in co-operation with the Enhanced Coastal Fisheries (ECOFISHBD) project of WorldFish Bangladesh, organised the roundtable at its office in the capital's Kawran Bazar on steps to continue good harvests.
The project's team leader, Abdul Wahab, said harvests can be increased with a proper action plan while its director, MI Goldar, said this has already occurred due to a hilsa management action plan.
The livelihoods of fishermen also need to be improved, said Hossain Zillur Rahman, former adviser to a caretaker government. Improving livelihoods of all involved required more investment and modern equipment, added a hilsa wholesaler from Patuakhali, Ansar Ali Mollah.
Department of Fisheries Director General Syed Arif Azad credited government measures for increased harvests, which were low till 2010.
Prothom Alo Associate Editor Abdul Quayum moderated the roundtable while Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Director General Yahiya Mahmud and Nathan Sage of USAID were present.
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