Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries experts here on Tuesday said that there are opportunities to increase foreign exchange earnings through the export of quality fish and fisheries products.

"There is huge potential for foreign exchange earnings by exporting shrimp, crab, freshwater, marine, and other fish," they said at a stakeholder meeting titled "Sustainable Development and Optimum Utilization of Fisheries Resources" on the occasion of National Fisheries Week.

The meeting, organized by the Khulna District Office of the Department of Fisheries, was held at the conference room of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) in Khulna.

Bipul Kumar Basak, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries, Khulna Divisional Office, attended as the chief guest, while S. Humayun Kabir, former Vice-President of BFFEA, presided over the event.

District Fisheries Officer Md. Badruzzaman, Quality Assurance Manager of the Department of Fisheries' Quality Control Laboratory Md Zahidul Hasan, and Senior Assistant Director of the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Department, Khulna Md. Abul Hasan spoke as special guests.

At the event, Lipton Sardar, Quality Control Officer of the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Department, presented a paper on the contribution of Khulna's fisheries sector, profitable and sustainable aquaculture practices, and the Fish and Fisheries Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Act 2020.

In his remarks, Bipul Kumar Basak said if standards are not maintained or adulterants are used in fish and shrimp, Bangladesh may lose its international export market.

"It is essential to ensure regular monitoring of quality standards at every stage, including seed collection, farming, harvesting, marketing, and processing," he said.

Special guests said the fisheries sector once ranked second in the country's total export earnings but has now dropped to seventh. They said reversing this trend is crucial.

They added that alongside carp farming, initiatives to conserve native fish species must also be effectively implemented. He urged businesses to work together for the development of the fisheries sector.

Fisheries sector traders sought policy support from the government, including the establishment of separate economic zones.

According to data from the 2023-24 fiscal year, the country's total fish production stood at 5.018 million tons. More than 20 million people, including 1.4 million women, are directly or indirectly involved in the fisheries sector.

The sector contributes 2.53 percent to the national GDP and 22.26 percent of the agricultural GDP.

Bangladesh ranks first in Hilsa catch, second in inland open-water fish production, and fifth in Tilapia farming worldwide.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, about 91,000 tonnes of fish and fisheries products worth Taka 6,145 crore were exported.

Fish farmers, traders, and stakeholders from the export sector, among others, attended the event.