Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today spoke at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 24, 2025 (BSS)- Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said nobody except the fishermen will get lease of the water bodies from now. 

She said this while addressing as the chief guest at a function marking the National Fisheries Week 2025 organized by the Department of Fisheries at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy here today. 

 The adviser said, If the natural fishing grounds are destroyed, fishermen will be jobless. Fish production has already been declined from the expected level, which is depriving the real professionals, she said.

Therefore, the government has decided not to lease out water bodies to the persons who are not involved with fishing profession, she added.

The Adviser said that the permission has already been taken from the Land Ministry to resolve the issue of water body lease.

Praising the young scientists of BFRI, the adviser said, their intensive research is an inspiration for all. Research should not be limited in papers but should be applied at the field level, she said.

The Adviser noted that people should get Hilsa fish in the market at an affordable price. “We will be able to do that,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Abdur Rouf said that Hilsa production is dependent on nature.

“Due to obstacles in many places, Hilsa cannot come to the rivers from sea, causing declining Hilsa harvesting,” he said.

He also said that initiatives will be taken to create specific zones to increase shrimp farming.

Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr. Abu Sufian and Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Dr. Anuradha Bhadra, among others, were present.