'Frame mega dev plan to boost Hilsa production'

Speakers at a workshop yesterday said the production of delicious national fish Hilsa can be boosted up to five lakh tonne per year from current production of three lakh tonne if a development mega plan is formulated and implemented in consultation with the concerned ministries and research organisations.
Hilsa contributes 1.2 percent to the gross domestic production, they said stressing on proper enforcement of fish protection act and raising awareness of the preservation of jatka (Hilsa fry).
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) organised the workshop on 'Possibilities in the rise of Hilsa asset and management strategies' at BARC auditorium in the city to mark the Jatka Protection Week 2009.
Speaking as the chief guest, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas said the country earns over Tk 100 crore per year by exporting Hilsa to different countries in the world.
He further said that though Hilsa plays an important role in the national economy and employment, its existence is at stake because of several natural and man-made reasons.
“Indiscriminate fishing of Jatka and fertile fishes, disappearance of the water bodies, reduction of navigability of the rivers, usage of random pesticides, waste of industries and impact of climate changes are responsible for reducing the production of Hilsa in the internal water bodies,” he added.
Netting of Hilsa has been prohibited in the breeding season from October 15 to 24 which contributed to rise of jatka, he said, adding that preservation of water bodies and implementation of Hilsa fishery management action plan is a must to increase its production.
Latif said the government has taken elaborate programmes, including raising awareness, increasing the date of jatka preservation period from three to four months and giving financial assistance to fishermen during the period.
The minister said Tk two crore has been allocated for the alternative employment to create income-generating activities of the affected fishermen and the government will soon expedite the programmes soon.
“We are giving 10 kilograms of rice to each fisherman during the jatka preservation period and the government is planning to increase the allocation to Tk 14 crore for their alternative employment.”
Mentioning that the logistics of the coastguard is poor, he said they are discussing with the home ministry to speed up the logistics of the force soon.
In his keynote paper, Dr GS Halder, chief scientist officer of BFRI, said lives and livelihoods of around 20 to 30 lakh people depend on the greater Hilsa industry.
Suggesting an increase of the fishing time during the breeding season by five days, he said a modern scientific management is a must to improve the production of Hilsa.
Halder also suggested increasing the size of fishing nets, ensuring proper rehabilitation of the fishermen and introducing a modern Hilsa research institute.
With Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Shah Alam in the chair, the workshop was also addressed by Moslem Uddin Advocate MP, Director General (DG) of Department of Fisheries Rafiqul Islam and BFRI DG Dr MG Hossain also spoke.