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An Assignment On
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute and
Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation
Course title: Agricultural Extension
Course code: AER-431
Submitted to:

Dr. Shaikh Shamim Hasan

Professor
Dept. of Agricultural Extension and
Rural Development
BSMRAU, Gazipur-1706 Submitted by:

Name: Wahiduzzaman Abir

Reg. No: 17-05-4310
Group: A
Level: IV
Term: Automn-2021
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute
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Introduction: Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) an autonomous research

organization established in 1984 as a national institution for the planning, coordination and
conduct of fisheries research in Bangladesh. [1] The fish and fisheries are an integral part of the
culture and heritage of Bangladesh. The sector is much significant in the country as it offers an
important source of earning a livelihood, foreign exchange and food supply. Keeping in view the
immense potentials of the fisheries sector in providing better nutrition and job opportunities,
particularly to the poorest of the poor, and the urgency for optimum scientific utilization of the
aquatic heritage, the President of the people`s Republic of Bangladesh was pleased to promulgate
an Ordinance entitled “The Fisheries Research Institute Ordinance, 1984” on the 11 days of July
1984. In pursuance of this Ordinance, the Institute was established in July 1984. The Ordinance
is further updated in 2018 as “Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Ordinance 2018”. In 1997
the Institute was renamed as Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI). Through the
institute was established in 1984, it actually started functioning in 1986 with the recruitment of
required skilled manpower and creation of primary research facilities. Since then, the institute
has been playing a vital role in assisting the nation to achieve the goal of fisheries development
as set out in successive development plans. The institute is an autonomous research organization
and linked up administratively with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The general
direction, administration and supervision of the affairs of the institute is vested in the Board of
Governors. The headquarters of the institute is located in Mymensingh.

Vision: The vision of BFRI is to become a Center of Excellence on Fisheries Research to

evolve aquaculture technologies, and management guidelines for open water fisheries to
optimize sustainable harvest from national aquatic resources in consonance with environment,
economics and equity and to assist the country in all matters relating to its fisheries Research &
Development.

Objectives of the Institute:

 To carry out basic and adaptive research for development and optimum utilization of all
living aquatic resources and coordinate fisheries research activities in Bangladesh;
 To experiment and standardize techniques for maximizing productions and better
management of living aquatic resources;
 To identify new production opportunities and develop them to usable levels;
 To develop skilled research manpower through training;
 To transfer the technologies to users through training of extension workers, planners, fish
farmers and other relevant persons; and
 To advise the Government in all matters relating to research and management of living
aquatic resources. [2]
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Activity Centers (Stations & Sub-stations): The headquarters of the institute is located
in Mymensingh. The institute has 5 stations and 5 sub-stations based on different aquatic
ecosystems.

Freshwater Station, Mymensingh: Freshwater Center and Sub-Center: The Freshwater

Center covers an area of about 40.5 hectares and is located at the Institute's head office in
Mymensingh. Research is being conducted at the center on the development of pond based
fisheries, development of improved fish varieties, development of fish nutrition and food, control
of diseases, production of pearls in freshwater oysters in a motivated manner, conservation of
gene pool, etc. Under this center, research was conducted from Jessore and Syedpur sub-centers
on farming system research, solution to inbreeding problems and improvement of hatchery seeds.
Research on fish farming development and production management in the floodplain was
conducted from the floodplain substation in Santahar.

River Center, Chandpur: River centers and sub-centers: The river center of the institute is
located on the eastern edge of Chandpur district town with an area of 16.2 hectares. The center
conducts research on various aspects of proper management and development of economically
important fish species in inland open water bodies. The center has already developed technology
for proper management and development of hilsa resources, identification of natural breeding
grounds for carp, pen fish farming and pangasius fry production technology. Under this center,
research was done on fisheries and management in Kaptai Lake from the sub-center at
Rangamati and management of hilsa fish at the sub-center at Khepupara.

Marine Fisheries and Technology Center, Cox’s Bazar: Marine Fisheries and
Technology Center: It is located in the district headquarters of Cox's Bazar with an area of about
4 hectares. The subjects being researched at the Center are: Determination of economically
important marine fisheries resources, innovation of breeding and farming techniques of marine
fish including shrimp, crop cycle based fish and shrimp farming, processing, product selection
and conservation techniques etc.
Shrimp Research Station, Bagerhat: There is a huge opportunity to increase shrimp
production in the Khulna region including Bagerhat through innovation and the use of modern
technology. In this context, a shrimp research center has been set up at Bagerhat to innovate
suitable technology through research aimed at increasing shrimp production, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases and quality improvement of shrimp products. Research on shrimp health
management, shrimp food and nutrition, shrimp quality development and soil and water quality
is being conducted in this station.

Brackish water Station, Paikgacha, Khulna: This center works on artificially

produced lobster fry, scientific development of advanced lobster and lobster farming techniques,
socio-economic status of shrimp farmers. Identification of natural source of lobster and adverse
research on natural biodiversity in the coastal environment are also supervised. [3]
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Network of linked Organizations with BFRI:

Achievements: Since the inception of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute it has been
conducting research programs reflecting the national developmental needs and government
policy. BFRI has so far innovated 49 improved aquaculture and management technologies
through demand driven research. Among them 42 aquaculture & management and 7
biotechnological technologies have been evolved. A good number of such technologies have
been disseminated in the field in various degrees. [3]
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Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation

Introduction: Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) was established in
1964 under the then East Pakistan Ordinance No. 4 under the name of East Pakistan Fisheries
Development Corporation. After independence in 1973, it was renamed as "Bangladesh Fisheries
Development Corporation" by Act No. 22. Since its inception, the Corporation has been
providing necessary assistance to the fish exporters in Bangladesh including the development of
fisheries and fisheries industry, extraction of fish from deep sea through modern trawlers,
unloading, preservation, processing and marketing of hygienic fish. BFDC is a government-
owned service-oriented autonomous commercial organization, with 13 units, including its head
office, fully dedicated to the development of the country's fisheries resources and the fishing
industry. The Corporation has been conducting activities related to the production of freshwater
fish in Kaptai Lake. The construction work up to the 6th floor including the 15 storied
foundation of the BFDC head office has been completed at Plot No. 23-24 in Kawran Bazar with
the Corporation's own funds. At present 3 development projects are being implemented at a cost
of Taka 17.91 with government funding under the corporation and more new development
projects are being taken up. [4]

Outer centers:
 Chittagong Fisheries Port
 Kaptai Lake Fisheries Development and Marketing Unit, Rangamati
 Fish landing and wholesale fish market, Cox's Bazar
 Fish landing and wholesale fish market, Patharghata
 Fish Landing and Wholesale Fish Sales Center, Patharghata
 Fish landing and wholesale fish market, Khulna
 Fish landing and wholesale fish market, Barisal
 Fisheries Processing and Marketing Unit, Cox's Bazar
 Metropolitan Water Resources Unit, Dhaka
 Fish Landing, Preservation and Distribution Center, Manharkhali, Chittagong
 Fish Processing and Marketing Center, Mongla
 Fish Processing and Marketing Center, Pagla, Narayanganj
 Dhaka Metropolitan Fisheries Marketing and Facilitation Unit, Jatrabari [4]

Achievements: The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, in collaboration with

FAO, conducted full-fledged research on fisheries resources in the Bay of Bengal for the first
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time from 1986 to 1982. This included the survey of fishery resources in the Bay of Bengal, the
identification of fishing grounds, the identification of commercial species of fish and the
collection of basic fisheries statistics. The study explored the following 4 commercial fishing
grounds: 1) South Patches. 2) Elephant Point. 3) East of Swatch of No Ground. 4) Swatch of no
ground. According to the survey, marine fish are being harvested in the Bay of Bengal. The
Corporation established the only fishing port in the country at Chittagong in 1970 with the aim of
providing ancillary and shore-based facilities for the management of trawler fleets. At the same
time, it has been providing services to the public and private sectors by setting up modern marine
workshops for the repair and maintenance of trawlers and other vessels. For the first time in the
country, the corporation introduced nylon yarn instead of corpus yarn and played a leading role
in the development of the industry by setting up three mesh factories. To ensure the use of ice to
preserve the quality of fish, the Corporation has from the outset set up ice mills and modern fish
landing units and wholesale fish markets near fishing grounds in remote areas of the country.
The Corporation established the Marine Fisheries Academy in Chittagong in 1973 with the help
of Soviet Russia to build skilled manpower for marine fisheries. At present, the academy is being
run through the revenue budget of the government under the ministry. Online fish marketing
service is also offered by BFDC at www.bfdconlinefish.com

References:
1. Banglapedia 2015. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Available from
<http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Bangladesh_Fisheries_Research_Institute>
[30 January 2021]
2. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute 2021. BFRI at a Glance Available from
<http://fri.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/fri.portal.gov.bd/page/17898368_3692_48
f2_89d6_256fb2d2e0ae/BFRI%20at%20a%20glance.pdf>
[30 January 2021]
3. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute 2021. Station and Sub-station Available from
<http://www.fri.gov.bd>
[31 January 2021]
4. Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation 2021. Perspective of Establishment
Available from <http://www.bfdc.gov.bd/site/page/211e3ef7-a76f-4e0e-8773-
ae85d2d1bce1/->
[31 January 2021]