Govt to expand haor fish sanctuaries, phase out traditional leasing system

The government plans to establish new fish sanctuaries in haor and wetland areas to boost the breeding and production of native freshwater fish, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid has said.

The government also plans to replace the conventional leasing system for water bodies, or jolmohals, with a new framework to protect the interests of local communities, he said.

Speaking to reporters today (8 August) after inspecting the National Fisheries Fortnight 2026 inauguration venue in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, he attributed the decline in indigenous fish species to environmental degradation, excessive pesticides and chemical fertilisers, habitat loss and shrinking fish sanctuaries.

"To tackle this, the government plans to construct deep reservoirs and large enclosures in haors and wetlands to ensure safe breeding grounds and preserve fish," he said.

Protecting fish eggs and fry would help naturally rebuild the country's aquatic biomass, the minister said.

On concerns over microplastics in fish, Amin Ur Rashid said it was a global challenge affecting both marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Bangladesh will align its policies with international research and work with the Ministry of Environment to mitigate the risks, he said.

Regarding the government's crackdown on destructive "China Duari" fishing nets, the minister said the small-mesh traps were destroying aquatic biodiversity by catching both fish fry and mature fish.

He called for strict administrative action alongside community support to eliminate their use.

The government continues to provide registered fishers with food assistance and alternative livelihood support during seasonal fishing bans, he said.

"We want Bangladesh to reclaim its heritage as a land abundant in fish," the minister said, adding that new legislation to reform water body management and integrate agricultural and fisheries policies was being drafted for submission to parliament.

Earlier in the day, the minister inspected potential sites for releasing fish fry along the Old Brahmaputra River at Thana Ghat Isakha Bridge, Bahadia Pathanbari Ghat and Chairman Bari Ghat near Mirzapur Government Primary School in Pakundia upazila.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam, Kishoreganj-2 MP Advocate Jalal Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak and Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Sohana Nasrin, among other senior officials, were present during the inspection.