Bangladesh strengthens research to boost hilsha production, says minister

Fisheries and Live Stock Minister S M Rezaul Karim has said the Bangladesh government has strengthened the research of hilsha, the national fish of the country, to increase its production.

“Production of Hislsha is increasing every year and the country earns huge money by exporting the fish after meeting the domestic demand,” he said at a hilsha research ship handover ceremony on Khulna Shipyard Ltd premises as chief guest on Tuesday.

BFRI is researching for sustainable development of country’s hilsha resource, the minister said, adding that country’s hilsha production is increasing every year as after government is taking various steps, enforcing including 22-day Hilsha netting ban.

The Hilsha research ship will play a vital role to enhance Hilsha production, new loitering and breeding area identification, netting and storing, he said.

The minister lauded KSY’s role in ship building and said KSY built the hilsha research ship with its own design. The BFRI is now capable of enhancing hilsha research in country’s rivers, coasts.

Chaired by KSY managing director Comodore Khondokar Akter Hossain , Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, secretary of Fisheries Ministry Dr Md Yasin and director general of BFRI Dr Yahia Mahmud, among others, addressed the function.

Under the Hilsha Research Strengthening Programme at Chandpur River, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) implemented the project.

Built by Khulna Shipyard Ltd, the hilsha research ship was estimated by a committee formation by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh Navy, Directorate of Shipping, Institute of Marine Science of Chittagong University and Marine fisheries Academy.

The Hilsha research ship has modern equipment and technology, portable mini hatchery, netting system, hilsha research laboratory, fish finder, echo sounder, navigation, modern telecommunication and fire control system.

Experimental trial of all equipment and machineries of the ship was completed after commissioning, said Md Kamruzzaman, administrative officer of KSY.

Khulna Fisheries Officer Joydeb Paul said at least 14 officers and employees have completed onboard training for operating the research ship.