Protect nature to save fish species: CA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (18 August) urged all to come forward to protecting nature aiming to conserve the country's fisheries resources.

"Let's learn to show honour to the nature; let's learn to be kind of nature," he told the inaugural session of the National Fisheries Week-2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here.

Speaking as the chief guest, Muhammad Yunus said the fish is a gift of nature and it is a gift of Almighty Allah.

He mentioned that people have been indiscriminately destroying the nature, the habitat of fish, and that is why they have to think of being kind of nature aiming to conserve fish species.

The chief adviser said wastes are being dumped into water-bodies indiscriminately and people do not pay heed to the consequences of the waste disposal as those are, in return, coming to them as poison.

Noting that there is an immense potential of the country's fisheries sector and there remains concern too, he said if they show modesty to the nature, they will be able to enjoy the nature's gift - fish.

"We love to eat fish. Fish is our favourite food. But, we do not think about those who are involved in producing fish," Muhammad Yunus said.

He stressed bringing the actual fishers under coverage of the social safety net programmes to protect them from financial hardship.

About the marine potential, the chief adviser said the sea is waiting for Bangladesh but it still remains untapped.

The marine fisheries sector can create a new Bangladesh, he said, underscoring the need for identifying the deep sea fishing areas to explore marine potential as it can be an industry.

Putting emphasis on carrying out research on marine fisheries, Muhammad Yunus said the issue of deep sea fishing should be included to the university curriculum.

He said Bangladesh has already talked to its friendly countries about the conservation of coastal region and marine resources and the states are responding positively.

In addition, the chief adviser stressed stopping unchecked use of pesticide in agriculture and tobacco cultivation with a view to protect the country's fisheries resources.

He observed unplanned infrastructures, poor navigability of rivers and climate change are putting impacts on the country's fisheries sector.

So, CA Yunus said integrated measures must be taken to this end.
 
Many indigenous fish species are being disappeared from the nature for lack of proper management of water-bodies, he said.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Secretary (Routine Duty) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md Tofazzel Hossain and Director General (Current Charge) of Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf also spoke on the occasion.

At the inaugural ceremony, 16 individuals and organisations were awarded 'Matshya Padak-2025' in recognition of their contributions to the fisheries sector.

The National Fisheries Week 2025 began across the country today with the aim of enhancing fisheries resources, ensuring sustainable development and raising public awareness about conservation.

This year's theme is 'building sanctuaries makes the country rich with local fish'.