Social Welfare Minister Dr Dipu Moni has said the country's fish production has doubled over the past 15 years. Bangladesh is fifth in the world in fish production and first among 11 countries in hilsa production, she said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is continuing all-round efforts to develop fisheries, and she hoped the sector would advance further through united efforts to build a Smart Bangladesh.

She was speaking, by phone, as chief guest at a discussion and award ceremony held on Wednesday morning (31 July) in the auditorium of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Chandpur to mark National Fisheries Week. Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan chaired the meeting.

Earlier, National Fisheries Week was opened with a colourful programme. At 9.30am on Wednesday (31 July), a rally set out from in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, went along the Chandpur-Cumilla regional road and ended in front of the Sadar Upazila auditorium, where Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamrul Hasan opened the event by releasing balloons.

Special guests who spoke were Mohammad Kamruzzaman, additional DIG of the river police's Chandpur region, the district's Additional Superintendent of Police (River) Shrima Chakma, Chandpur Sadar Upazila Parishad chairman Advocate Humayun Kabir and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sakhawat Jamil Saikat. Chandpur District Fisheries Officer Md Golam Mehedi Hasan gave the welcome speech.

At the event, four fish farmers of the district were given awards for their special contribution to the fisheries sector, and smart cards were handed out to newly registered fishers.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.