Fish, fisheries researchers, fish farmers and fishers are deeply and inseparably woven into Bangladesh's economy, diet and culture. Fish is not only a source of protein; it drives Bengali livelihoods, nutrition, the rural economy, foreign currency earnings and a thousand years of folk culture. With this in mind, "National Fisheries Fortnight 2026" is being observed across the country from 16 to 30 August under the theme "A self-reliant nation through silver fisheries, Bangladesh before all". The theme is timely and significant, because the country's achievements in fisheries now have a visible impact not only at home but internationally.

This commentary is by a public relations officer at the Fisheries and Livestock Information Office of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Recent statistics show the sector's strength. According to figures published by the Department of Fisheries for the fortnight, total fish production is now 51.11 lakh tonnes, and daily per capita fish intake is 67.80 grams, underlining fish's importance for food and nutrition security. More than two crore people, including 14 lakh women, or about 12 percent of the population, depend directly or indirectly on fisheries for their livelihoods. Researchers, farmers, fishers, fish farmers, fry producers, feed and medicine suppliers, transporters, traders and processors together form a vast community and economic network around fish production.

Fisheries also contribute significantly to the national economy. According to the Department of Fisheries, the sector accounts for 2.58 percent of GDP and 22.03 percent of agricultural GDP, with GDP growth in the sector of 1.41 percent. These figures show fisheries are no longer a small sub-sector of agriculture but an important part of the national economy, playing a growing role in food security, rural economic activity and job creation.

Bangladesh's international standing is also a matter of pride. It ranks first in the world in hilsa catch, second in inland fish production, third in capture from inland open waters, fifth in farmed fish production in closed waters and eighth in crustacean catch from marine and coastal waters. These achievements show how the country has built a strong position by using its rivers, canals, beels, haors, baors, ponds and wide sea area. But keeping this success will need more attention to conservation and management as well as production.

Work is under way to set up 827 sanctuaries in the country's inland open waters. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, Tk 181.60 lakh was spent on managing and repairing 455 of them. Through a project to conserve native fish and snails, fishers have been given equipment for alternative livelihoods, and demonstration farms and new sanctuaries have been set up. Such work not only increases fish production but also plays an important role in protecting aquatic biodiversity.

Hilsa is Bangladesh's national fish and one of the symbols of the sector's success. In 2024-25 the hilsa catch was 5 lakh tonnes, about 10 percent of total fish production. Six sanctuaries covering 432 km are being managed to conserve hilsa. To protect brood hilsa and jatka, food assistance was given to 40,000 fisher families and VGF support to 9 lakh 87 thousand 141 fisher families in 2025-26.

Continuing support for fishers during the brood hilsa and jatka conservation periods is essential, because long-term conservation is hard to achieve without protecting the lives and livelihoods of genuine fishers. The government must put in place proper monitoring and strict accountability here.

The blue economy is another area of great potential. A 58-day ban on all marine fishing is enforced every year. Marine surveys have also been carried out to identify new species and manage marine resources scientifically: a geographical and biological survey identified 65 new marine species for Bangladesh and found five possible new species.

With the declaration of the Kuakata and Solimpur marine protected areas (MPAs), 10.54 percent of the Bay of Bengal has come under protection. A marine plan (MSP) has been drawn up and submitted to the Cabinet Division. Government efforts have also achieved successful breeding of marine bhetki (sea bass) and commercial fry production. These steps open new possibilities for sustainable management of marine fisheries.

Exports have been steady. In 2024-25, 90,619.42 tonnes of fish and fish products worth Tk 6,144.91 crore were exported, and Bangladeshi fish products are gaining acceptance abroad. But to become more competitive globally, the country must produce more value-added products instead of relying on raw or conventional exports.

The cluster approach in shrimp farming, the HACCP system for quality control, plans for world-class quality control laboratories and the introduction of a traceability system will help win trust in international markets. Shrimp in particular has huge potential: production was about 2.99 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, and production of SPF bagda shrimp post-larvae has also reached a significant level. Satellite mapping and hydrological surveys in coastal areas and the re-excavation of 34 canals next to shrimp farms can make production more modern and sustainable. Climate-resilient shrimp farming can therefore be an important tool for the coastal economy in coping with climate change.

One point is especially important: bringing technology into fisheries. Mechanisation of 31 government fish farms, IoT-based water quality monitoring, a gene bank and cryopreservation technology at 20 farms, fry production through aquaponics and the use of solar power have begun. Solar systems at government fish farms are also set to generate and supply 0.64 megawatts of electricity. These technologies show that Bangladesh's fisheries are gradually moving from conventional farming towards smart, technology-based management.

Alongside success there are challenges. Quality fry, good fish feed, production costs, disease, market management and risk management for farmers remain important issues. Climate change, through salinity, heavy rain, flash floods, drought, cyclones and changes in water bodies, can affect fish production. Fish farmers therefore need loans on easy terms, insurance, quality inputs, direct access to market prices and good market management. Ensuring a fair profit for farmers, as well as raising output, should be one of the main aims of fisheries policy.

A balance must also be kept between conservation and production. Public and private efforts on sanctuaries, breeding-season bans, marine fishing closures and aquatic biodiversity must be made more effective. Alongside enforcing bans, the social security of genuine fishers and farmers must be ensured; only then will conservation have public support and last.

Bangladesh's fisheries sector now stands at a new crossroads. On one side are record output, international standing, jobs and exports; on the other, climate change, market systems, environmental sustainability and farmers' risks. Both realities must be given equal weight. The goal ahead should not simply be "more fish" but "safe, quality, environmentally friendly and profitable fish production".

National Fisheries Fortnight 2026 is not just a celebration but a time to pledge to make new use of the potential of fisheries. The sector can be made stronger only through the combined efforts of public and private institutions, researchers, entrepreneurs, fish farmers, fishers, traders and consumers. Fisheries are a source of food security, a driver of the rural economy and a field of great promise for foreign currency earnings. If the country's current achievements and the government's long-term plans can be turned into a foundation for a sustainable future, the theme "A self-reliant nation through silver fisheries, Bangladesh before all" will be fulfilled in the true sense.

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