Sea bass farming to help diversify exports: experts

Bangladesh should focus on increasing the cultivation of certain varieties of sea bass, such as Koral and Vetki, in order to expand the country's export basket, according to experts.

"We are always talking about diversifying exports beyond garments and so, increasing commercial production of sea bass could play a key role to this end," said Tapan Kanti Ghosh, senior secretary to the commerce ministry.

He made this recommendation at a workshop styled "Prospect of Commercial Production of Sea Bass in Bangladesh", at the Centre on Integrated Rural and Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) yesterday.

The event was jointly organised by the Fishery Products Business Promotion Council, Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation and CIRDAP.

Mentioning of Vietnam's technology-based fish farming, he said Bangladesh would have to use the best technologies in domestic aquaculture in order to expedite export diversification in this regard.

Speaking as chief guest, Planning Minister MA Mannan said more research should be carried out on the industry. "The government is sitting with a huge amount of money to offer researchers. If the researchers come with a proper proposal, they could get it," he said.

"But there are some steps and regulations they will have to go through to take money for their research," Mannan added.

The event was moderated by Syed Mahmudul Huq, chairman of the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation, while Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, secretary to the fisheries and livestock ministry, and Dr Cherdsak Virapat, director general of the CIRDAP, were present among others. Prof Aziz Bin Arshad, a renowned sea bass breeding specialist, presented the keynote while Somboon Laopraser, an expert on marine shrimp and aquaculture of the CIRDAP, also presented a paper.