Tuku urges students to explore fisheries sector's potential
Tuku said deep-sea fishing and higher fish production could create career opportunities for students and boost Bangladesh’s economy.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku today (29 September) urged students to gain both academic and practical knowledge about the fisheries sector and explore its potential for building their careers.
"Collective efforts are needed to make fisheries education more effective and up-to-date to ensure the protection and development of fisheries resources in the future," he said.
The state minister made the remarks at a discussion and fish-fry release ceremony organised by the Department of Fisheries at the University of Dhaka on the occasion of National Fisheries Week.
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Speaking as the chief guest at the event at the Professor Mohammad Shafi Auditorium of the university's Fisheries Science Building, Tuku said many countries are placing increasing importance on fisheries, creating opportunities for students to pursue careers in the sector.
He said the fisheries sector could make a greater contribution to Bangladesh's economy and stressed the need to increase fish production further.
The government has also taken initiatives to promote deep-sea fishing, he said.
"If Bangladesh becomes capable of harvesting fish from the deep sea, it will be able to make a huge contribution to the country's economy," Tuku said.
On the country's rivers, the state minister said steps had been taken to identify ways to reduce pollution and restore navigability.
He also said increasing fish production was important to preserve Bangladesh's traditional "fish-and-rice" culture.
Tuku credited Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with recognising the potential of the fisheries sector and taking initiatives to develop it through canal excavation programmes.
He also said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia later introduced National Fisheries Week, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman undertook canal excavation programmes aimed at increasing fish production.
Professor Wahida Haque, chairman of the Department of Fisheries at the University of Dhaka, presided over the programme.
University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam attended as the guest of honour, while Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak was present as a special guest.
Earlier, Tuku released fish fry into a pond at Curzon Hall of the university.
