Reviving Nearly Extinct Fish: National Fish Week Focuses on Farming and Future
Under the theme “Build Fish Farms, Fill the Nation with Local Fish,” the National Fish Week is underway at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka. The event features exhibitions, workshops, and discussions to raise awareness on modern aquaculture techniques, fish preservation, and marketing strategies.
The event was inaugurated on Monday morning, August 18, by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During the opening, he urged researchers to revive nearly extinct fish species through scientific study.
Emphasizing the vast potential of the fisheries sector, particularly in deep-sea fishing, Yunus said, “In addition to meeting domestic demand, we must expand markets and diversify products through research and other initiatives to boost fish exports. All relevant government departments, private organizations, and export-import agencies must work collaboratively to implement these activities.”
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist also stressed environmentally friendly practices, saying, “We only talk about governing rivers. We don’t talk about following them. We discharge all our waste into the water. Yet we ignore that this waste comes back to us as poison. Beyond waste, we are dumping all kinds of harmful substances into our waters.”
He further highlighted the loss of traditional fish species due to inadequate management, noting that a Life Gene Bank has been established at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute. “Most of the animal protein consumed by our population comes from fish. At the same time, a significant portion of the workforce—including 1.2 million women—is directly or indirectly involved in this sector. Harnessing this potential, many more young people can become successful entrepreneurs,” he added.
Yunus also underscored untapped opportunities in the sea: “The ocean is waiting to offer us its gifts. We have yet to explore what kinds of fish resources lie beneath its waters. We need to understand why we are not yet able to access them.”
During the event, the Chief Adviser presented the National Fisheries Medal-2025 to the award winners. The ceremony was attended by members of the Advisory Council, senior government officials, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the country.
