Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar announced today that 16 individuals and institutions will be honoured with the National Fisheries Award 2025 across seven categories, recognising exceptional contributions to Bangladesh’s fisheries sector.
The awards ceremony, featuring gold, silver and bronze medals for first, second and third place winners respectively, will be held during tomorrow’s inauguration of National Fisheries Week with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus presiding as chief guest.
At a press conference held at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the adviser outlined plans for the July 22-28 observance, which will include special tributes to martyrs of the July uprising alongside traditional activities like awareness campaigns, seminars and exhibitions.
She emphasised the sector’s critical economic role, noting its 2.53% contribution to national GDP and 22.26% share of agricultural GDP, while supporting livelihoods for approximately 20 million people including 1.2 million women.
The adviser highlighted Bangladesh’s aquatic resources spanning 3.86 million hectares of inland waters and 118,813 square kilometers of marine territory that currently yield 5 million metric tons of fish annually, detailing conservation efforts including 669 existing fish sanctuaries and this year’s reduced 58-day marine fishing ban (April 15-June 11) to balance ecological protection with industry needs.
During such bans, the government has distributed 104,662.675 metric tonnes of rice to 1.26 million fisher families through the Vulnerable Group Feeding program, with proposals pending to increase allocations to 50kg per family.
This year’s theme “Create Sanctuaries, Fill the Country with Native Fish” reflects priorities like protecting endangered species through research-based, eco-friendly practices.
The week’s programming will showcase initiatives including easy-term loan programs to liberate fishers from predatory lending and genetic conservation projects for indigenous fish varieties.
Senior ministry officials including Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain joined the adviser in announcing these developments at today’s briefing.