News Flash
DHAKA, June 19, 2025 (BSS) – Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today stressed the importance of protecting Hilsha fish terming the fish as a ‘national pride of the country’.
“It is our national duty to protect Hilsha fish as Hilsha has given us a special status across the world,” she said while addressing a workshop titled ‘Jatka and Hilsha protection implementation 2024-‘25 its evaluation and future responsibilities’ as the chief guest.
Department of Fisheries (DoF) organized the programme at CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
The protection of the national fish is not only the duty of the ministry of fisheries and livestock alone rather the chief Adviser’s office has a responsibility to this end, she said.
Expressing people’s concern over the price of the Hilsha fish, Farida Akhter said the people should not be bored with the higher price of Hilsha fish. If anything is good, then price of it also be higher, she added.
“The good thing is not for daily use but it should be enjoyed occasionally…Hilsha is our national pride, so it is our responsibility to protect this”, she mentioned.
Regarding the price of the Hilsha, the fisheries adviser said the price of the national fish is not right to sell at a price of Taka 2000, per kg as the resources (Hilsha) are only available at 11 countries across the world.
But the test of Hilsha in the river of Padma and Meghna is very much rare in the world, said the adviser, saying the test is different of the fish in different areas in the world.
About the impact of the higher Hilsha price, the adviser said if the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) can set an example by selling the Hilsha at a minimum price then it would create an influence in the market.
If the price of the Hilsha would not soar unnecessarily and that’s why I will discuss with the ministry of commerce, National Consumers Rights Protection Department and the ‘Aratders’ (whole sellers), said the adviser.
The Hilsha protection drive, which was commenced in 2014 have ultimately, put an important contribution to fisheries resources protection in Bangladesh.
Seasonal restriction during the breeding season, providing assistance for the alternative livelihood of the fishermen and mass awareness campaign helped decline the ‘Jatka’ fishing drastically and boost the Hilsha production significantly.
Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries M Ahsan Hasib Khan presented the keynote paper at the workshop while Additional Director General (Current Charge) M Zia Haider Chowdhury gave the welcome address.
The function also was addressed, among others, by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary M Tofazzal Hossen, Additional Secretary Syed Naoara Jahan, BFDC Chairman Farah Shammi and senior officials of the ministry, university teachers and fisheries department officials.
Director General of the DOF Dr M Abdur Rauf presided over the function.
