News Flash
DHAKA, June 16, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku today asked the authorities concerned to stop production of harmful nets as fishermen are using such nets to catch hilsa and other species of fish that hinder production and conservation of hilsa.
The state minister issued the order while speaking at a workshop ‘Evaluation of the Jatka and Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025-26 and Future Course of Action’, held at the conference room of the Fisheries Building.
Tuku said hilsa is a Geographical Indication (GI) product and is a source of pride and an important asset for Bangladesh. An economy of approximately Tk 75 thousand crore is associated with it, he added.
Noting that hilsa's contribution to the national economy is extremely significant, he said that if its production can be further increased, it will have a major positive impact on the economy.
The state minister further informed that over 4 million people in the country are directly and indirectly involved in the production, harvesting, and marketing of hilsa, making this sector one of the most important sources of employment.
“various initiatives have been taken in the past to increase agricultural and fisheries production. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman initiated the canal digging programme, and late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia took important steps for hilsa conservation in 2003. In continuation of these initiatives, various programmes to increase agricultural and fisheries production are currently being implemented,” he added.
Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Khalid Kanak chaired the event while Additional Secretaries of the Ministry Nilufa Akhter and Syeda Nawara Jahan, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Dr. Anuradha Bhadra, members of the National Taskforce Committee on Hilsa Development, spoke as the special guests.
Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries Md. Abul Kalam Azad presented the keynote paper at the workshop.
