Green mussels farming could be alternate source of income for fishermen: Experts
Seaweeds and Green Mussels, which are increasingly recognised as important marine resources around the world, have the potential to contribute significantly to Bangladesh's economy if properly planned and commercialised.
"We should emphasise to popularise seaweeds and Green Mussels as a food source and consider them as a viable economic crop in the blue economy initiative. Seaweeds and Green Mussels farming could be one of the alternate sources of income for the fishing community," experts said at a seminar on Saturday.
WorldFish Bangladesh organised the seminar on seaweeds and green mussel farming in the Seagull hotel in Cox's Bazar under its USAID-funded ECOFISH II activity.
Seaweed farmers, traders, consumers, processors, chefs, academicians, practitioners, researchers, and private sector, government officials, and development practitioners attended the event.
Speakers at the event stressed the need to harness seaweed's potential.
Emeritus Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar Mandal, former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, and member of the Planning Commission of Bangladesh was present as chief guest.
He called for the formation of a sea-centric food security forum to ensure food and nutrition security and proper utilisation of marine resources.
Professor (Retd) Dr Md Abdul Wahab, team leader, ECOFISH II, WorldFish Bangladesh, presided over the programme.
Captain M Minarul Hoque, Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development; Ashraful Haque, Project Management Specialist of USAID Bangladesh; and Dr Md Sharif Uddin, director (Marine), Department of Fisheries attended as special guests.
Dr Md Asaduzzaman, assistant professor, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University; Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, professor and chairman, Noakhali Science and Technology University; Dr Mostafa Ali Reza Hossain, professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University; and Zahanara Islam, chairman of Zahanara Green Agro addressed the event.
Apart from organising the seminar, the ECOFISH also organised a blue food festival at the hotel premises.
Renowned chefs, producers, and entrepreneurs demonstrated a wide range of food, cosmetics, and allied products made from seaweed and green mussels.
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