Bangladesh rules out artificial hilsa farming without policy approval

The interim government has not granted approval for hilsa cultivation through artificial or controlled means, according to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

The ministry issued a press release on Monday clarifying that no individual or organisation has received permission to farm hilsa or conduct related activities using such techniques.

The announcement comes after a Sunday ministry meeting that discussed hilsa and marine fish farming through Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology in fully controlled indoor environments.

Presiding over the session, Fisheries Advisor Farida Akter pointed out that hilsa is a vital Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh.

She noted that the fish is deeply intertwined with the country’s river and coastal ecosystems, food security, heritage, and the livelihoods of a vast number of fishermen.

Since hilsa production and management rely primarily on natural breeding cycles and river-dependent environments, she explained that any initiative in this regard remains a “highly sensitive and policy-driven matter”.

The press release said there is currently no government approval or policy framework for farming hilsa using RAS or any other indoor, fully controlled or intensive method.

The clarification comes amid reports that PRAN-RFL Group had taken an initiative to farm hilsa using RAS technology.

Its associate company, Habiganj Agro Limited, had planned to start farming marine fish including hilsa, Asian seabass and grouper through controlled indoor systems.

As part of the plan, Denmark-based Assentoft Aqua and Habiganj Agro Limited have already signed a memorandum of understanding.

The two companies are set to jointly invest €30 million over two years to implement the project.

The ministry convened the meeting following media reports about this initiative, underlining that any research, experimental effort, or technological activity involving hilsa must comply with existing laws, regulations, national interest, and prior approval from relevant government authorities.

The ministry warned that any hilsa farming activity without approval is “unacceptable”.