Fisheries sector needs more funding with greater accountability: Agriculture Minister

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Tuesday called for increased budgetary allocation for the fisheries sector, stressing that higher funding must be matched by transparency, accountability and proper use of resources.

“Along with increasing allocation, we must ensure transparency and accountability to prevent financial wastage,” he said at a workshop titled “Budget in the Fisheries Sector and Government’s Development Plan” at the Department of Fisheries.

Rashid said the decline in natural water bodies and environmental changes had reduced the availability of indigenous fish, stressing the need to protect natural fish habitats while increasing production.

He called for regular field-level reviews of fish sanctuaries to determine whether they are contributing to fish breeding and reproduction.

“It is not enough to launch projects and spend money; their effectiveness must be assessed at the field level,” he said.

The minister also urged officials to verify fishermen’s lists carefully, warning that the inclusion of fake or ineligible people could deprive genuine fishermen of government support.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s potential for deep-sea fishing, particularly tuna fishing in international waters, Rashid called for a concrete plan to turn survey findings into actual fishing activities.

He said the country would need skilled manpower, suitable vessels and modern technology to develop its deep-sea fisheries.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said young entrepreneurs should be encouraged and fish farmers provided with technical advice and necessary support.

He urged field-level fisheries officials to regularly visit farms and monitor their activities to improve productivity.

Tuku said the government was working to bring canals, wetlands, rivers and streams under fish production, while increasing freshwater fish production and expanding exports.

He stressed the need to keep water bodies pollution-free, protect rivers and maintain navigability for sustainable fisheries development, alongside greater focus on fish processing and exports.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary M Delwar Hossain attended the workshop as the guest of honour, while Department of Fisheries Director General Dr M Khaled Konok chaired it. Bangladesh Public Service Commission member Professor ASM Golam Hafiz also spoke.