Fish is a common item with rice in the national cuisine, rightly reflected in the saying “Maache-Bhate Bangali,” meaning Bengalis are made of fish and rice. While Bangladesh used to have abundant resources of fish, the natural fish stock is declining and aquaculture has become vital in meeting the country’s fish demand.
Over the last two decades, international trade in fish and fishery products has grown rapidly. Bangladesh continues to excel in inland water capture fish production and aquaculture production.
In Bangladesh, both fisheries and aquaculture play important roles in alleviating protein deficiency and malnutrition, as well as generating employment and foreign exchange earnings. These job opportunities for poor rural citizens would also reduce their migration to cities. Fish accounts for approximately 60% of Bangladeshi people’s daily animal protein intake. Women, like men, rely on the fisheries sector for a living through fishing, farming, fish handling, and processing. Fisheries also contribute significantly to national economies by generating foreign exchange through international trade. During 2022, the fishing industry contributed 3.57 percent of the country’s total GDP, 26.50 percent of agricultural GDP, and 1.24 percent of total export earnings.
At some time people used to be surprised when they heard about pond fish farming or aquaculture. Bangladesh is now the world’s third largest producer of inland fisheries, trailing only China and India. For six years, Bangladesh ranked fifth in fish farming. This information was found in the global report of United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ‘The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture-2022’. This reflects the steady upward movement of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector, which has been aided, among other things, by the adept use of innovative technology.
Bangladesh lags behind in marine capture fish production and ranks 25th in this high-potential category, with 670,000 tons of annual marine capture fish production.
Bangladesh is regarded as one of the world’s most suitable fisheries regions, with the world’s largest flooded wetland and Asia’s third largest aquatic biodiversity after China and India. Increase the potential of the fishery industry by utilizing information technology and a favorable geographic location for fisheries.
Because of Bangabandhu Satellite-1, Bangladesh now has a nationwide optical backbone network and connectivity coverage. Mobile internet, wireless broadband, and fixed broadband are the three types of internet access that enable approximately 92 million people, 94 percent of whom rely on mobile networks, according to reports.
Many people may be familiar with the concept of smart agriculture because of “e-Village,” a project of the Centre for Research and Information (CRI). In terms of digital fisheries marketing, the use of various social media sites such as Facebook has already become popular. Many people have become interested in the use of mobile apps. Chingri, BD Fishpedia, Rupali, Fish Bangla, Bangla Fishing Baits, and other government and private mobile apps are assisting fish farmers. Furthermore, some foreign companies, such as XpertSea, a Canadian firm, are reportedly planning to begin experimental technology testing on shrimp farms in Bangladesh soon.
Increasing fish production, lowering production costs, increasing exports, maintaining fish quality, controlling overfishing in wildlife, and saving endangered species are some of the direct consequences of using technology in fish farming. Field-level scientific and social problems related to fishponds, such as a lack of oxygen, an increase in ammonia, an oversupply of food, fish theft, water poisoning, and so on, can be solved by using real-time and need-based information while sitting at home.
To advance the fisheries sector in Bangladesh, we must prepare for the 4th Fisheries Revolution (or Aquaculture 4.0), which will be the right corresponds to the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR or Industry 4.0).
Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
