Fisheries adviser expresses concern over poison and electric fishing

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter expressed concern over the use of poison and electricity in fishing. She said, “It is cruel how people use poison and electricity to catch fish. This is driven by human greed and the urge for quick profit.”

She made the remarks on Wednesday during her keynote speech at a seminar on “The Importance of Sanctuaries in Sustainable Fisheries Resource Management and Future Measures” held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in capital's Farmgate. The event was organised by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI).

Farida Akhter stressed the importance of identifying water bodies across the country to safeguard native fish species. She added that creating and preserving sanctuaries is essential for fish resource production, as the availability of open water bodies is declining at an alarming rate.

She explained the cause of this decline, saying, “In the past, policymakers may have given this issue little attention. That’s why we are now focusing on it. We must take the necessary steps to create and preserve open water bodies.”

Highlighting the need to prevent genetic extinction, she added, “Protecting fish species is not only vital for Bangladesh but also for global fisheries resources, as we are naturally in a region where life without fish is impossible.”

She highlighted that 41 fish species have been restored, saying, “Earlier, 64 fish species in the country were nearly extinct. Thanks to BFRI’s research, 41 of these species have been successfully revived.”

Farida Akhtar also expressed concern over plastic pollution, stating, “Plastic and water pollution are major threats to fisheries resources. Recently, no agreement was reached at an international plastics conference. Since the proposed plastic treaty is harmful to both people and the environment, Bangladesh has chosen not to sign it.”