Speakers at a national seminar have unequivocally called for protecting the water resources from further degradation for the sake of protecting the fisheries resources from devastation.
Expressing their grave concern over the gradually declining of the surface water resources, they underscored the need for immediate and effective measures to protect the water bodies and other floodplains from disappearing.
The department of fisheries organised the seminar styled 'Safe Fish Production: Aquatic Resources of North Bengal' at Safawang Community Centre in Rajshahi on Saturday observance of the National Fisheries Week-2011.
Mayor of Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, who addressed the seminar as the chief guest, said fish met up lion portion of the animal protein demands so the production of fishes should be enhanced.
To this end, he said the water resources especially the ponds and canals must be conserved side by side with creating water reservoir.
He put emphasis on formulation of tough law against dumping of ponds and other natural water bodies as the aquatic biodiversity and fish production of the area have been decreasing gradually due to various manmade and natural causes.
Besides, he recommended for time-fitting policy for freeing the water resources free from all sorts of pollution and contamination so that the indigenous fish species could be saved from extinction.
In his keynote paper on the topic professor Mostafa AR Hossain of Fisheries Faculty, Bangladesh Agricultural University, stated that the reduced water flow in the Ganges rivers basin had resulted in a severe depletion of fisheries.
In this regard, he put emphasis on fish habitat restoration, establishment of fish sanctuaries, fish pass, stock enhancement in floodplain and creating social awareness for proper rehabilitation of the fisheries sector.
He favoured for close coordination among different ministries, departments, institutions, NGOs and universities to attain a positive results in this regard.
Professor Abdul Mannan of Zoology Department of Rajshahi University and professor Nayem Uddin of Fisheries Technology of Bangladesh Agricultural University addressed as panel discussants.
Soruce : New Age
