The government is working to conserve native fish species and raise fish production, and the fry-release programme now running across the country serves that goal, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Saturday, 19 September. He was speaking to reporters after fry were released into the lake of the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka.

The release is part of the Department of Fisheries' 2026-27 programme of stocking the water bodies of important institutions in Dhaka city, implemented on the day by the Dhaka District Fisheries Office. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme from Kishoreganj to mark the National Fisheries Fortnight, and fry are now being released in districts and upazilas across the country, the state minister said.

A total of 250 kg of fry went into the zoo lake: 100 kg of rui, 75 kg of catla and 75 kg of kalibaus. The fingerlings measured 10 to 15 cm and numbered about 2,575 — roughly 1,100 rui, 600 catla and 875 kalibaus.

Tuku said the country has no significant shortage of fish despite population growth, with freshwater production rising steadily and the number of farmers growing. To encourage small-scale farmers, fish farmers will be brought under the benefits of the farmer card, and easy-term loans and other incentives are being arranged so that output rises and the rural economy strengthens.

Asked about feed and antibiotic use, he said farmers are being trained and advised regularly to stop unnecessary antibiotic use so that fish are safe to eat, and field officers are guiding them towards modern, scientific methods that raise output while cutting waste and cost.

The government is keeping strict watch on feed quality, he added, with mobile courts run regularly to stop the manufacture and sale of substandard feed. Monitoring has been stepped up so that farmers do not use poor feed and consumers get safe fish.

Also present were Ferdousi Ahmed, MP for a reserved women's seat; Md Shahjaman Khan, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services; Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Director General of the Department of Fisheries; zoo director Dr Md Shahinur Alam; Md Ahsan Hasib Khan, the DoF's Dhaka divisional director; Central Poultry Farm director Zinat Sultana; zoo curator Md Habibur Rahman; and district fisheries officer Md Rokonuzzaman. The report is from Krishi Sangbad.

Source: Krishi Sangbad