Production of different varieties of fish has increased in the country over the last decade, thanks to the government's prudent and effective policy.
The country produced over 4.503 million (45.03 lakh) tonnes of fish during the fiscal year (FY) 2019-20.
Of the total fish production, aquaculture accounts for 57.38 per cent, according to the Department of Fisheries Bangladesh.
It is expected that the country will fairly exceed the production target of over 4.552 million (45.52 lakh) tonnes of fish by FY 2020-21, it said.
Bangladesh becomes a self-sufficient fish producing country and supplements about 60 per cent (with per capita of 62.58 gram/day against targeted 60 g/day) of total daily animal protein intake of the population, it said.
Bangladesh earns a considerable amount of foreign currencies by exporting fish, shrimp and other fisheries or fishery products.
The fisheries sector contributes 1.39 per cent to the total national export earnings.
Bangladesh earned Tk 39,851.50 million (Tk 398,515.00 lakh) by exporting almost 70.95 thousand tonnes of fish and fishery products during the FY 2019-20, according to the sector insiders and the government ministry concerned.
Bangladesh ranked 3rd in inland open water capture production and 5th in world aquaculture production, said the Department of Fisheries.
In tilapia production, the country ranked 4th in the world and 3rd in Asia, according to the fisheries department.
On the other hand, the national fish hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) as a single species has been making the highest contribution to the country's total fish production.
Hilsa accounts for about 12.21 per cent of annual fish production by volume in the FY 2019-20, contributing an estimated one per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
Besides, Geographical Indication Registration Certificate has also been achieved for national fish hilsa named 'Bangladesh ilish', according to a report titled 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020', prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
An official of the fisheries department, who is involved with hilsa affairs, said that the government had taken different protection and conservation measures including the Hilsa Fisheries Manage-ment Action Plan (HEMAP) to protect Jatka and hilsa brood.
And following the measures, total hilsa production has increased to 0.55 million (5.50 lakh) tonnes in the FY 2019-20, up from 0.19 million (1.99 lakh) tonnes in FY 2002-03.
On the other hand, the Yearbook of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh 2019-20 prepared by the government's fisheries department said Bangladesh produced over one million (10.55 lakh) tonnes of capture fish, 0.46 million (4.61 lakh) tonnes of culture fish and 0.54 million (5.46 lakh) tonnes of marine fish during the FY 2010-11.
After 10 years, during FY 2019-20, the country has seen a rise in fish production - over 1.2 million (12.48 lakh) tonnes of capture fish, over 2.5 million (25.84 lakh) tonnes of culture fish and 0.67 million (6.71 lakh) tonnes of marine fish.
The fisheries sector is playing a vital role in the socio-economic development of the country, as it contributes 3.52 per cent to the national GDP and more than one-fourth (26.37 per cent) to the agriculture GDP, according to the fisheries department.
The sector insiders suggested that the government continue its support in order to increase the present growth of fisheries for the benefit of the country and the people.
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