Chief adviser Professoressor Muhammad Yunus on Monday urged all to come forward to protect nature aiming at conserving the country鈥檚 fisheries resources.
鈥楲et鈥檚 learn to show honour to the nature; let鈥檚 learn to be kind of nature,鈥� he told the inaugural session of the National Fisheries Week-2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
Speaking as the chief guest, Professoressor Yunus said that the fish is a gift of nature and it is a gift of the Almighty Allah.
He mentioned that people had been indiscriminately destroying the nature, the habitat of fish, and that is why they have to think of being kind to the nature aiming at conserving fish species.
The chief adviser said that wastes were being dumped into water-bodies indiscriminately and people did not pay heed to the consequences of the waste disposal as those were, in return, coming to them as poison.
Noting that there is an immense potential of the country鈥檚 fisheries sector and there remains concern too, he said if they show modesty to the nature, they will be able to enjoy the nature鈥檚 gift 鈥� fish.
鈥榃e love to eat fish. Fish is our favourite food. But, we do not think about those who are involved in producing fish,鈥� Professor Yunus said.
He stressed bringing the actual fishers under coverage of the social safety net programmes to protect them from financial hardship.
About the marine potential, the chief adviser said the sea is waiting for Bangladesh but it still remains untapped.
The marine fisheries sector can create a new Bangladesh, he said, underscoring the need for identifying the deep sea fishing areas to explore marine potential as it can be an industry.
Putting emphasis on carrying out research on marine fisheries, Professor Yunus said the issue of deep sea fishing should be included to the university curriculum.
He said Bangladesh had already talked to its friendly countries about the conservation of coastal region and marine resources and the states are responding positively.
In addition, the chief adviser stressed stopping unchecked use of pesticide in agriculture and tobacco cultivation with a view to protect the country鈥檚 fisheries resources.
He observed unplanned infrastructures, poor navigability of rivers and climate change are putting impacts on the country鈥檚 fisheries sector.
So, Professor Yunus said integrated measures must be taken to this end.
Many indigenous fish species are being disappeared from the nature for lack of proper management of water-bodies, he said.
Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter, secretary (routine duty) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md Tofazzel Hossain and director general of Department of Fisheries Md Abdur Rouf also spoke on the occasion.
At the inaugural ceremony, 16 individuals and organisations were awarded Matshya Padak-2025 in recognition of their contributions to the fisheries sector.
The National Fisheries Week 2025 began across the country on Monday with the aim of enhancing fisheries resources, ensuring sustainable development and raising public awareness about conservation.
This year鈥檚 theme of the event is 鈥� building sanctuaries makes the country rich with local fish.
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