Address by
Dr. M.A. Mazid
Director
Fisheries Research Institute
Mymensingh
Respected Chairman of the inaugural session Mr. A.Z.M. Nasiruddin, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock; respected Chief Guest, Honourable Minister of State for Planning, Dr. A. Moyeen Khan; respected Special Guest, Prof. Dr. A.K.M. Aminul Haque, former Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh Agricultural University; Mr. A.K. Ataur Rahman, Director General, Department of Fisheries; Dr. V.R.P. Sinha, Senior Specialist, FAO/UNDP; Dr. A.K.M. Nuruzzaman, Member Director (Fisheries), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC); ladies and gentlemen, Assalamu Alaikum.
As you know, ‘Fish Fortnight 94’ is being celebrated throughout the country from August 16, and the seminar on the “Sustainable Development of the Marine Fisheries Resources in Bangladesh” is a part of the Fish Fortnight programme which has been organized by FRI and FAO/UNDP.
On behalf of the organizing committee of the seminar, it gives me great pleasure to welcome our chief guest, Dr. A. Moyeen Khan, Hon'ble Minister of State for Planning for giving us the opportunity to be with us despite his busy schedule with other national activities. I wish to welcome our Special Guest, Prof. Dr. A.K.M. Aminul Haque, former Vice-Chancellor of the Bangladesh Agricultural University; Chairman, Mr. A.Z.M. Nasiruddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock; Mr. A.K. Ataur Rahman, Director General of the DOF; Dr. A.K.M. Nuruzzaman, Member-Director of BARC; Dr. V.R.P. Sinha, Senior Specialist, FAO/UNDP and distinguished academicians, scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs, participants and representatives of the press.
Bangladesh has a coast line of 480 km, with an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles, having an area of more than 1,25,000 km2. The area is vast, but the resources are limited and need proper exploration, exploitation, conservation and management for sustainable production.
The marine fisheries sector has so far been remained as a low priority area in the overall fisheries development programme. We have no reliable information of the fishing pressure on the marine resources, their hydrology, oceanography and organic productivity. Similarly, information on fish production potential of the EEZ, its standing stock and landings are lacking. Although several surveys were carried out in the EEZ since 1958 to collect these data and to promote the exploitation of marine fisheries resources, the results were not very satisfactory. The surveys gave different estimates for demersal standing stock of fish and shrimp. A proper pelagic resources survey has not been made although certain exploratory surveys indicate potential resources for harvest.
The shrimp culture of the country depends largely on the supply of natural seed. The research findings have revealed that about 2 – 2.5 billion shrimp seeds are collected annually from natural sources. The indiscriminate killing of other aquatic organisms including larvae of finfish, other shrimps and zooplankton by the shrimp seed collectors is estimated to be about 20 billion a year. If such exploitation is continued because of expanding shrimp culture, the marine resources will be severely affected in the near future. Thus, it is high time to take necessary measures to protect the valuable marine resources.
Resources are overexploited by heavy and continuous fishing pressures in the inshore water up to 40 m depth by the different artisanal gears. BOBP study on estuarine set bagnet and shrimp seed collecting gears and FRI study on the shrimp seed collecting gears in the Khulna region indicate that these gears are harmful to the resources.
It is important to remember that marine fisheries stocks, whether deep water or shallow water, in-shore or offshore, are limited and if exploited heavily, may not sustain themselves. In many countries in Asia, shrimps and lobster are either fully exploited or overfished. World marine catch has started showing a declining trend. The present marine production of the country is about 0.25 million mt, and appears to be almost approaching the limits for standing stocks of the demersal species. This calls for limits to fishing efforts. Scientific studies are needed for development of rational management practices to avoid overexploitation.
An increased supply of fish is necessary to meet the domestic demand, since it is the major source of animal protein in the diet of the people of Bangladesh. The solution may be found with horizontal and vertical expansion of mariculture activities in our coastal area. Technologies need to be developed for proper mariculture installation of suitable species. The country has potential for development of mariculture of non traditional items like mollusc and sea weed in addition to development of mono and polyculture of finfish and shrimp.
Post harvest loss is very significant, and value-addition is necessary. However, the export market of value-added products is highly competitive, involving changes in type of products, forms and packaging. A wide range of research is required to promote production and export of safe and quality products and in order to meet the standard requirements of authorities in importing countries. Quality needs to be assured at farm, landing, processing and factory levels.
There is a wide range of research support needed for sustainable development of marine fisheries in the country. We look upon you all to contribute your wisdom to the great exercise, and to guide us in achieving the objective and meeting the national expectation.
Marine research is highly expensive. It needs excellent expertise, sophisticated equipment and substantial investment. I sincerely hope that honourable Planning Minister would duly consider these aspects while allocating resources for marine research.
With this, I once again welcome you all with gratitude.
