Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said on Friday that the government is intensifying market monitoring to ensure safe fish feed and medicines, stressing that contaminated inputs pose serious health risks and must not be allowed into the supply chain.
She made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the International Fisheries Conference and Exhibition 2025 held at Rajshahi University’s Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium, according to a media release.
The adviser said nearly 40 per cent of the country’s fish demand is met by production in Rajshahi, with carp fish from the region enjoying high popularity both at home and among expatriate Bangladeshis abroad. Considering the strong demand, the government is taking initiatives to export carp internationally, she added.
Farida Akhter urged farmers to expand artificial fish cultivation alongside natural production in canals, rivers and wetlands, but cautioned that natural fish breeding must never be disrupted.
Addressing climate change concerns, she noted that rising temperatures are already causing fish deaths in ponds. Citing discussions at the recent COP summit in Brazil, she said farmers need to adopt international technologies and create suitable environments for fish survival.
She described the formulation of a national fisheries cultivation policy as a “crucial step” that will clarify farmers’ responsibilities and ease the resolution of sectoral challenges. The adviser also called for public cooperation in hilsa conservation and recommended digging ponds on unused land instead of agricultural fields.
At the event, Rajshahi University Fisheries Professor Dr Md Akhtar Hossain delivered the keynote paper. Rajshahi University Fisheries Faculty Dean and summit organising committee convenor Professor Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman Mondol presided over the conference.
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid and Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Abdur Rauf attended as special guests, while Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib served as the chief patron.
Teachers, students, fish farmers and senior officials from government and non-government agencies were also present at the event.
