Advisor Farida Akter today spoke at CVASU campus in the city. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, April 30, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akter here today said that the fisheries and livestock sectors have been deprived of its desired benefits following separation of the sectors from agriculture sector.

The adviser made the observation while speaking as chief guest at the closing ceremony of the two-day 'CVASU Fish Festival-2025' organized jointly by Faculty of Fisheries of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) and Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) held CVASU campus in the city on Wednesday afternoon.

The mega festival is to mark a decade of founding anniversary of CVASU's Faculty of Fisheries.

Farida Akhter also said that entrepreneurs and farmers in these sectors are being affected due to high electricity bills in the fisheries and livestock sector.

"We are working to reduce the electricity bills of these sectors. High electricity tariff in the sectors is one kind of discrimination and a government which assumed power through anti-discrimination movement cannot let continue such kind of discrimination in these potential sectors" She said.

Professor Dr. Sheikh Ahmad Al Nahid, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries presided over the function while CVASU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Lutfur Rahman addressed the function as chief patron.

Urging CVASU authorities to work for the improvement of social conditions of the fishing community, Advisor Farida Akter said, "Our fishermen are making a significant contribution to the fisheries sector. Without fishermen, we would not have any profit even if the rivers and seas were full of fish. If the social condition of the fisheries community is not improved, the new generation will not feel to join in this profession."

"Role of industry and entrepreneurs is also crucial for overall development of the fisheries sector. The sector needs to be expanded further. If we can protect our fishermen, then Bangladesh will be in a better position in the fisheries sector is global stage" she said.

Vice Chancellor of Rangamati University of Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman, Director General (Acting) of the Fisheries Department, Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Dr. Anuradha Bhadra, former lawmaker and entrepreneur Lutfur Rahman Kajal and Business Director of ACI Agrolink Limited Syed M Ishtiaq, among others, addressed the function.

The best stalls, best research papers and poster presenters of the two-day Fish Festival were awarded certificates and crests at the event. At least 550 teachers, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, consumers and representatives of 95 institutions involved in the fisheries sector and representatives from 26 universities participated in the two-day festival.

A group of scientists from different universities and research institutions from home and abroad presented 350 research papers in the scientific conference.