Prime Minister to inaugurate National Fisheries Week in Kishoreganj

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the National Fisheries Week-2026 as the chief guest at a central ceremony in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj on 16 August.

Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said this during a press conference at the Secretariat on Thursday.

The central inaugural programme will be held at the George Institute Mini Stadium ground in Achmita Union of Katiadi.

The National Fisheries Week will be observed across the country from August 16 to 30 under the theme “A self-reliant country through silver fish, Bangladesh first.”

The prime minister will formally inaugurate the fortnight-long programme and distribute the National Fisheries Awards among individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to fish production, research, technological innovation, extension services, administrative efficiency and entrepreneurship development.

A total of 14 individuals and organisations will receive the National Fisheries Award (Gold) in 13 categories.

The agriculture minister said the fisheries sector has emerged as an important pillar of Bangladesh’s food security, nutrition, employment and economic development.

Bangladesh produced 5.111 million tonnes of fish in the 2024-25 fiscal year, while per capita daily fish availability reached 67.80 grams, exceeding the national nutritional requirement of 60 grams, he said.

The fisheries sector currently contributes 2.58% to the country’s GDP and 22.03% to agricultural GDP. Around 20.6 million people, including nearly 1.4 million women, are directly and indirectly involved in the sector.

Citing the Food and Agriculture Organization’s The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report, Aminur Rashid said Bangladesh ranks second globally in fish capture from inland open waters and fifth in aquaculture production.

Bangladesh ranks first in hilsa production, fourth globally and third in Asia in tilapia production, eighth in crustacean capture and 13th in coastal and marine fish capture, he said.

The minister said the government is taking various initiatives to conserve fisheries resources and aquatic biodiversity. At present, 669 fish sanctuaries are being operated in rivers and open water bodies across the country.

The Halda River and an adjoining area of 23,422 acres have been declared a fish heritage site, while three Marine Protected Areas have been established to ensure sustainable management of marine fisheries resources.

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The government is also working to expand the export of safe and internationally compliant fish and fisheries products. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported 90,660 tonnes of fish and fisheries products to more than 50 countries, earning Tk6,154.61 crore in foreign exchange.

The minister said the government is giving priority to climate-resilient aquaculture, smart and IoT-based technologies, development of improved fish varieties, production of disease-free fry, expansion of PCR facilities in hatcheries and global branding of shrimp.

He also highlighted government measures to protect the livelihoods of fishermen during fishing bans imposed to conserve fish resources.