Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter delivers a speech at a regional workshop organized by BFRI in Mymensingh. Photo: BSS

MYMENSINGH, June 21, 2025 (BSS)- Emphasizing the need for increased fish production and safe food practices, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said fish is an integral part of Bengali identity and a vital source of protein.

She made the remarks while addressing a regional workshop titled "Annual Research Progress (2024-25) Review and Research Plan (2025-26) Formulation", organised by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) in Mymensingh.

Highlighting the importance of biodiversity, the adviser urged BFRI to intensify efforts to protect native fish species, especially small indigenous varieties, from extinction.
 
She called for stronger coordination among the Department of Fisheries, BFRI and the Faculty of Fisheries at Bangladesh Agricultural University to bring about sustainable development in country's fisheries sector.

"Only through collaborative efforts, we can bring about a qualitative change in Bangladesh's fish resources," she added.

Describing scientists as national assets, Farida Akhtar reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing maximum support to enable them to carry out research that directly benefits the public. 

She called on scientists to develop technologies saying if their innovations are implemented on field level through the Department of Fisheries, then the country can ensure food security.