Adviser Farida Akhter spoke at a policy dialogue at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Dec 4, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized that mangrove forests must not be cleared for shrimp farming, noting that mangroves are vital for coastal environmental protection.

She made the observation while delivering the keynote address at a policy dialogue titled "Transforming Policy Support for Reviving Bangladesh's Shrimp Sector," jointly organised by the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) and the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Wednesday, said a press release today.

Farida said repeated allegations of jelly use in shrimp have harmed Bangladesh's export reputation, while illegal and unregulated fishing over the past seven years has caused marine fish stocks to fall by 78 percent.

She called for fair electricity tariffs for fisheries producers and recommended establishing a dedicated Fisheries and Livestock Bank to expand sectoral investment.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, attending as a special guest, said financial support alone cannot revive the sector and urged genuine entrepreneurs to focus on productivity and efficiency.

The event was chaired by BFFEA President Md. Shahjahan Chowdhury. Department of Fisheries Director General Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf and PRI Research Director Dr. Bazlul Haque Khandakar delivered presentations at the dialogue.