The New Nation, 22 July 2010
Speakers at a discussion here today underscored the need for a collective effort to protect the native fish species particularly the small indigenous ones from the verge of extinction along with meeting the national protein deficiency.
They viewed that frequent and indiscriminate use of harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the agricultural lands and other water bodies and abnormal declining of the wetlands are being adjudged as the main reasons for declining the indigenous fish species.
Besides, they said the breeding and grazing fields of the fish species have been reducing drastically due to siltation in the big rivers and their tributaries and other water bodies and floodplains. Speakers made these observations while addressing the opening ceremony of the National Fisheries Week-2010 arranged by Department of Fisheries (DoF) and District Administration at Zila Parishad Auditorium.
To enhance fish production and to ensure food security" is the main theme of the week. Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division Swapan Quamr Roy addressed the ceremony as the chief guest with Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Dilwar Bakth in the chair. In his address of welcome, District Fisheries Officer Israil Golder gave an overview of the district fish farming and production activities. District Livestock Officer Khairul Alam and fish farmers Raoshan Ali Bachhu and Faridul Alam also spoke on the occasion.
Speakers said enhancement of fish production is inevitable to meet up the country's protein deficiency, as fish alone is the 80 per cent contributor of animal protein. With this in view, they said a concerted effort of all the authorities and individuals concerned has become inevitable to enhance fish production. For the sake of ensuring food, income, savings and nutrition they added that the fish production must be increased. Referring to the country's significant fish production in the past 10-12 years they laid importance on enhancing fish production in open water bodies and floodplains.
Highlighting various positive aspects of the open water bodies in conserving the native fish species they opined that the open water bodies are important not only for the fish production but also for generating employment to an enormous section of the livelihood. In addition to nutritional aspects, the open water fisheries has been contributing a lot to maintaining natural ecosystem and wetland habitats along with an aquatic biodiversity, said fish cultivator Raoshan Ali.
Terming the pisciculture as a vast potential and profitable investment he urged both the public and private level entrepreneurs to come forward to expand fish culture through applying modern technology and tactics along with adopting integrated policy.
For creating self- employment, reduction of poverty and malnutrition and development of environment and socio-economic condition, the importance of fisheries resources is indispensable, he added. Earlier in the morning, a large number of fish farmers, fisheries researchers and students and others concerned brought out a colourful rally in the city street marking the fisheries week.
Similar inaugural programs were also organized by all the upazila administrations of the district and other adjoining district administrations like Chapainawabgonj, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Sirajgonj, Bogra, Joypurhat, Gaibandha and other adjacent northern districts along with their upazilas today.
Source: The New Nation
