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DHAKA, April 22, 2025 (BSS) — Calling for technical assistance from South Korea to boost the country's fishing sector, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said Bangladesh has enormous potential in deep-sea fishing, marine fisheries, and technological innovation in Mariculture.

The adviser said, “Bangladesh's deep-sea fishing and marine fisheries have immense opportunities, and the country can benefit greatly from advanced technologies in tuna fishing, marine resources assessment, and related fields.”

She was speaking a bilateral meeting with CHOI Yong-seok, Vice-Minister for Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and President of the National Fisheries Science Institute (NIFS), in Busan, South Korea, according a press release received here today.

During the meeting, Farida stressed the importance of improving surveillance against illegal fishing in deep-sea waters, enhancing capacity for tuna fishing, and helping to assess marine resource stocks.

She also highlighted the need for South Korean support in strengthening marine fisheries research capabilities, offering study opportunities for Bangladeshi researchers, and developing value-added products and food processing plants to improve fish exports.

She thanked the South Korean officials for their ongoing efforts to ensure affordable fish supply for the Korean population and shared her understanding that the government of Bangladesh is working diligently to meet the nutritional needs of its people.

Both countries, however, face common global challenges, including climate change, ocean pollution, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing, and the use of illegal fishing gear.

Adviser Akhter expressed optimism about collaboration between Bangladesh and South Korea in addressing these challenges. She proposed that both governments sign necessary memorandums of understanding (MOUs) at the institutional level to enhance cooperation.

Vice-Minister CHOI Yong-Seok agreed with the proposal, acknowledging the significant potential in Bangladesh's fisheries sector.

He assured that the South Korean government would seek ways to expand bilateral cooperation in fisheries, emphasizing that mutual understanding and further development of cooperation in these areas are crucial for both countries.

The Vice-Minister also said, “South Korea has already implemented modern tracking systems for tuna fishing in deep-sea waters and combating illegal fishing.

He expressed keen interest to support Bangladesh in the areas and showed eagerness in signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on technical research collaboration.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Chairperson Suraiya Akhter Jahan, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf and Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) Dr Anuradha Bhadra were present in the meeting.

Adviser Farida Akhter is currently on a five-day official visit to South Korea with a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The delegation is exploring ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector.

 During her visit, the delegation has also met with leaders from various South Korean institutions, including the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the Korean Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA), and officials from Pukyong National University and the Korea Fisheries Association.