Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said the government will establish new fish sanctuaries in haor and wetland areas while replacing the traditional leasing system of jolmahals with a new framework to boost freshwater fish production.
He said the new system for managing water bodies was being introduced to protect the interests of local communities.
The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting the venue of National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 at Achmita George Institute Mini Stadium in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj.
He said haors, wetlands, rivers and other water bodies in Bangladesh were once rich sources of native fish, but indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, declining aquatic habitats and the loss of natural breeding grounds had significantly reduced freshwater fish populations.
“To address this, the government plans to create deep reservoirs and large enclosures in haors and wetlands to ensure safe breeding grounds and preserve fish resources,” Aminur Rashid said.
He said protecting fish eggs and fry would naturally help rebuild the country’s aquatic biodiversity.
Expressing concern over the growing presence of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems, the minister said plastic particles smaller than five millimetres had become a global challenge affecting both marine and freshwater environments.
He said these particles entered waterways through degraded plastic waste and clothing fibres, carrying chemical toxins and harmful bacteria.
Bangladesh would align its policies with international research and work with the Ministry of Environment to reduce the risks posed by microplastics, he said.
Speaking about the use of destructive “China Duari” fishing nets, also known as ring traps, the minister said such small-mesh traps harmed aquatic biodiversity by catching both fish fry and mature fish.
He called for strict administrative action against the practice alongside support from local communities to eliminate its use.
Aminur Rashid said the government was continuing to provide food assistance and alternative livelihood support to registered fishers during seasonal fishing bans.
“We want Bangladesh to regain its heritage as a land abundant in fish,” he said.
The minister added that new legislation to reform water body management and integrate agricultural and fisheries policies was being drafted for submission to parliament.
Earlier, he inspected proposed sites for releasing fish fry along the Old Brahmaputra River, including Thana Ghat Isakha Bridge, Bahadia Pathanbari Ghat and Chairman Bari Ghat near Mirzapur Government Primary School in Pakundia upazila.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam MP, Kishoreganj-2 lawmaker Advocate Jalal Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain, Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Khaled Kanak and Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Sohana Nasrin, among other senior officials, were present during the inspection.
