Bangladesh seeks Thai expertise to expand feed-based seabass farming

In a ceremony attended by Bangladesh Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, H E Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) and Thai Union Feedmill Public Company Limited (TFM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 3 February 2026 to strengthen long-term collaboration on technology transfer, research, and targeted development initiatives for sustainable aquaculture in Bangladesh, particularly in the coastal region.

Syed Mahmudul Huq, Chairman of BSFF, and Hathai Nantatong, Director (representing the Chief Executive Officer) of TFM, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations. Representatives from the sector, embassy officials, and other dignitaries were present, including Dr Cherdsak Virapat, former Director General of NACA and CIRDAP.

Also attending were Saroar Ahmed Saleheen, Counsellor (Economic) and Alternate Permanent Representative, and Nayeem Rubaiyet, Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok, Thailand.

The MoU builds on a partnership initiated in 2021 and reinforced by a pilot project in 2023–24. It focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices for high-value species, including Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), and mono-sex giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

Bangladesh's 710km coastline and extensive brackish-water areas — spanning an estimated 175,000–250,000 hectares, with more than 155,000 hectares dedicated to shrimp farming — offer strong potential for climate-resilient coastal aquaculture to address the impacts of global warming and sea-level rise. The initiative aims to support farmers in salinity-affected areas and to strengthen coastal livelihoods through improved production practices.

According to BSFF, the shift towards modern, feed-based seabass farming could support coastal economic development and export diversification, in addition to traditional shrimp culture. Thailand's experience in commercial seabass production — including improved hatchery techniques, high-quality formulated feeds, biosecurity, and eco-friendly practices — could help reduce reliance on wild seed and trash-fish feeding, while improving yields and returns and aligning production with global sustainability standards.

The 2023–24 pilot, implemented at ATI Aqua Farm in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, and supported by TFM through premium fingerlings and specialised feeds, achieved production of about 4.3 tonnes per acre with a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.2, according to the organisers. The pilot involved support from the Department of Fisheries, CIRDAP, and funding from the Business Promotion Council.

Under the new MoU, BSFF and TFM plan to work with the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, alongside the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and private sector stakeholders. Key areas of work include developing genetically suitable strains of seabass, undertaking research, establishing breeding and hatchery capacity through phased implementation over three years, and building skilled manpower for hatcheries, grow-out operations, processing, and marketing.

In the first year, NIB and BSFF will jointly conduct research activities, while demonstration pilots on production practices will be carried out at two sites in Teknaf and Khulna. The partners also plan value chain improvements, including domestic and international market linkages, to support production expansion and marketing.