Major challenges for sustainable marine fishing include the lack of proper monitoring and control while ensuring quality fish feed at reasonable prices is needed to develop aquaculture in the country, according to Dr Md Sharif Uddin, director (marine) of the Department of Fisheries (DoF). 

Bangladesh has already witnessed three revolutions in aquaculture and now the industry should focus on automation and mechanisation to meet the growing demand for fish, he said.

"Besides, we need to conduct a complete survey and formulate management and development plans for marine fishers," he added.

Uddin made these comments while presenting his paper on "Sustainability in Fisheries: Success and Way Forward for Bangladesh" during an event at Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka yesterday.

Regarding sustainability in shrimp farming, he said the authorities should designate catching zones in coastal areas and ensure that hatcheries for black tiger shrimp were free of some pathogens.

The event, styled "Revolutionary Transformation in Agriculture for Food and Nutrition Security of Bangladesh", was organised by the Netherlands Alumni Association in Bangladesh (NAAB) with the support of Nuffic, a Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, and the embassy of the Netherlands in Dhaka.

A total of four papers on crops, fishing, agro-technology, livestock and poultry were presented at the event.

Planning Minister MA Mannan was present as chief guest while Dutch Ambassador Anne van Leeuwen was the special guest.

Speaking at the event, Emeritus Professor and former vice chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University MA Sattar Mandal said Bangladesh has to develop commercial farming and an inclusive food system to achieve "smart agriculture".

"We have to adopt science-based plans to ensure food security and safe food," he said.

The agricultural economist said the private sector was a potential stakeholder in the future of "smart farming".

Mandal said Bangladesh was still lagging behind other countries when it comes to food processing due to the lack of backward linkage.

"So, we should reduce import dependency in the industry," he added.

Planning Minister Mannan said farmers were the main architects of the agricultural revolution and his ministry always gives priority to agriculture related projects.

"There have been many revolutions in agriculture in the last 50 years and farmers are the main heroes. However, the contribution of agricultural officials is no less," he added.

The event was chaired by NAAB President Dr MA Quassem.

While presenting a paper on livestock and poultry, Professor Nitish Chandra Debnath, national coordinator of One Health Bangladesh, said poultry egg and meat consumption were expected to rise 1.3 times and 4 times respectively by 2031.

"So, the government should strengthen the regulatory framework with the necessary setup, standards and tools to ensure private sector participation for a healthy and safe production system," he added. 

Source: The Daily Star