Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid spoke at a seminar held at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Aug 17, 2026 (BSS) – Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid today said ensuring the production of safe and quality fish in Bangladesh is essential to boost exports and ensure food safety.

“The demand for safe and quality food has now emerged as a greater concern globally than food shortages, and ensuring the production of safe and quality fish in Bangladesh is very significant now,” he said.

The minister said this while addressing a seminar titled ‘Fisheries Resources for Building a Self-Reliant Bangladesh: Current Context and Future Course of Action’ as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.

The seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), with its Director General (DG) Dr Md Latiful Islam in the chair.

The minister urged the relevant quarters to increase fish production strictly following prescribed standards and ensuring quality.

“We have to determine our course of action keeping in mind the problems facing the fisheries production sector, its prospects in the coming days, people’s demand, and the demand for quality fish in the international market,” he said.

“It would be possible to move forward quickly when problems are identified and resolved on a priority basis,” he added.

The minister further said adequate sanctuaries must be ensured for fish to boost their natural breeding and production.

He added that the government has already taken various initiatives in this regard and started working to conserve fish.

He urged farmers to adopt environmentally friendly and modern production methods.

Aminur stressed the need to focus on both producing fish for domestic consumption and producing fish according to the preferences and demands of the export market.

He then highlighted the export potential of shrimp, crab, eel and other aquatic animals.

“Improving fry production and breeding systems is essential alongside production in these sectors,” he said.

Speaking as a special guest, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku stressed the need to ensure natural movement and breeding grounds for fish.

“Maintaining the navigability of rivers and canals and restoring their connections with rivers are essential to restore fish habitats,” he said.

He added that the government’s ongoing canal and river excavation work would create a favourable environment for fish breeding and movement.

He cautioned that the unnecessary use of antibiotics is causing economic losses to farmers and putting food safety at risk.

BFRI Senior Scientific Officer Dr Md Mashiur Rahman presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Department of Fisheries DG Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Department of Livestock Services DG Md Shahjaman Khan, senior officials of the ministry, teachers from various universities and BFRI scientists attended the event.