Mohammad Mohiudddin, Imtiaz Ahmed, Md.

 Rafiqul Islam, 
A.K.M. Aminul Haque, Md. Aminul Islam, Enamul Hoq and 
M. Gulam Hussain
Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute,
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
Introduction
y Bangladesh has 3rd largest aquatic biodiversity in Asia 
behind China & India:
y About 800 species of fresh, brackish & marine waters
y It has world’s largest flooded wetland (Bengal Delta) 
& three main river systems 
y Ganges, Brahmaputra & Megna  
y Vast water resources offer the best possibilities for food security & 
income generation 
y In inland fisheries, Bangladesh ranks third among the top ten fish 
producing countries of the world
y Among the top ten aquaculture producing countries Bangladesh’s 
position is sixth .
y Fisheries contributed 63% of the country’s animal protein needs
y Aquaculture contributed 39% of total fish production,
Fish Production by Resource Type
Resource type Water Area Production Catch/Area % of total
(Hectare) (Metric Ton) (Kg/Hectare) Production

(i) Capture
1. River & Estuaries 1,031,563 13,681,295 133
*2. Sundarbans - 18,151 -
3. Beel 114,161 77,524 679
4. Kaptai Lake 68,800 8,248 120
5. Flood Land 2,832,792 819,446 289
Capture Total 4,047,316 1,060,181 - 41.36
(ii) Culture
1. Pond & Ditch 305,025 866,049 2,839
2. Baor 5,488 4,778 871
3. Shrimp Farm 217,877 114,715 618
Culture Total 528,390 1,005,542 - 39.23
Inland Total 4,575,706 2,065,723 - 80.59
Marine Total 497,573 19.1
Country Total 2,563,296 100
FRSS, 2008
National Fisheries Policy
™ The management of fisheries sector in Bangladesh is 
guided & regulated by the National Fisheries Policy of 1998. 
Key aspects are:
ƒ Enhancement of the fisheries resources & production

ƒ Fish culture and management in closed freshwater bodies.

ƒ Culture of shrimps in the coastal regions.

ƒ Exploitation, conservation & Management of marine 
fisheries resources

ƒ Conducting research in fisheries and aquaculture
National Fisheries Strategy 2006
(Management approaches for implementation of NFP)
y Aquaculture Sub‐Strategy
y Aquaculture Extension Sub‐Strategy
y Inland Capture Fisheries Sub‐Strategy
y Marine Sector Sub‐Strategy
y Shrimp Sub‐Strategy
y Monitoring and Evaluation Sub‐Strategy
y Quality Control Sub‐Strategy
y Human Resources Development Sub‐Strategy 
Implementation of Ecosystem Approach

y Aquaculture
y Pond aquaculture
y Fish culture in the rice fields
y Aquaculture in pens
y Cage aquaculture
y Oxbow lakes aquaculture
y Floodplain aquaculture

y Fisheries
y Inland fish sanctuaries
y Coastal (Hilsa) sanctuaries
y Implementation of Fish Act
y Alternative livelihood
 Major Aquaculture Practices

Cage culture of tilapia now become a way

of alternate livelihood for jatka fishers
along the hilsa prone areas
Aquaculture Issues

¾ Environmental Carrying Capacity

¾ Broodstock Management and Quality Seed Production in

the Hatcheries

¾ Conservation of Genetic Diversity

¾ Rationalization of Farmed Fish Species

¾ Food Safety, Biosafety and Disease Prevention

Conservation of Endangered Species
Capture Fishery Issues
¾ Protect Dry Season Water Flows

¾ Establish National Sanctuary Systems

¾ Develop and Implement Fisheries Management 
Regulations

¾ Integrated Coastal Resource Management

¾ Maintenance of Ecosystem Health &  Management 
of Pollution
Hilsa Management Action Plan 
Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is the most important single species fishery
& the national fish of Bangladesh

¾Hilsa accounts nearly half of the total marine catches, and 12-13% of total
fish production
¾50-60% of global hilsa catch is from Bangladesh waters
¾ Inter‐ministerial cooperation succeed in implementation of the HMAP 
¾ Jatka hilsa abundance recorded 35% more than previous years
¾ Over all hilsa production increased 40% more than previous years
¾ Govt. allocated more money (US$ 0.29 million) for alternate livelihood 
i.e. cage  culture and other activities of hilsa fishers during fishing ban period
Integrated Coastal Resource Management
¾ Effective regulation of the
artisanal and trawl
fisheries for sustainable
production

¾ Policy for development

and conservation of all
aquatic habitat and fish
biodiversity
Conclusion
¾ Fisheries and aquaculture in Bangladesh are of prime importance 
in view of – biodiversity conservation, natural balance, food 
security, income generation, poverty alleviation and 
employment.
¾ Bangladesh is committed to implement the Code of Conduct for 
Responsible Fisheries of FAO 1995
¾ Government  is aware of – conserving aquatic ecosystems, 
maintaining the quality, diversity and availability of fishery 
resources and management of all target and non‐target species

¾ Regional co‐operation through – training & exchange visit on 
good practices, bilateral discussions over issues of conflicts and 
follow‐up actions through regional workshops are essential
Thank you all