She made these remarks this morning while speaking as the chief guest at the opening session of the 10th Biennial Fisheries Conference, organised by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (BFRF) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium.

The adviser said that fish is not just food to fill the stomach; it is a very important source of nutrition. Fish provides essential micronutrients, calcium, and other nutrients that help in the development of eyesight, bones, and intelligence. She added that fish-based food habits have played a major role in the intellectual development of the Bengali people.

Speaking about marine fisheries resources, she said Bangladesh has not yet fully used its potential. At present, only about 30 percent of these resources are being used, and even within this limited use, there are many problems. She explained that artisanal trawlers and industrial trawlers follow different fishing methods, and some technologies used by industrial trawlers have created new concerns. She said that going to sea seven times and catching fish only once is not acceptable, just as it is not right to use SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) technology to catch all fish in a single trip.

The fisheries adviser said that it has recently been found that around 70 out of 223 industrial trawlers are using SONAR technology, which has increased the risk of overfishing in the sea. To address these problems, effective policies are urgently needed. She said the government has taken an important step by deciding to update the National Fisheries Policy. Some reforms have already been made to the Fisheries Act, but more changes are needed, which she wants to implement during her tenure. She expressed serious concern about harmful fishing gear, saying that old fishing gear is now being modified in ways that damage the environment and biodiversity. In some cases, fish are even being caught using electric shocks, which is completely unacceptable.

She also said there is discrimination in providing incentives to fishers. Compared to the support given to the agriculture sector, fishers do not receive fair incentives. During fishing ban periods, fishers often do not get the assistance they need, which sometimes forces them to break the rules unwillingly.

The adviser said that hilsa breeding and migration are being severely disrupted due to reduced river depth, pollution, and the combined effects of climate change. She stressed that hilsa is not just a fish but a national asset. Just like dolphin conservation, hilsa protection should be part of a global movement. She added that obstacles in hilsa migration routes have been identified, and requests have been made to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to carry out necessary dredging in coordination with relevant agencies.

At the conference, the keynote paper was presented by Dr Faruk-ul Islam, Country Representative of WorldFish Bangladesh. FAO Representative in Bangladesh (ad-interim) Dr Dia Sanou spoke as an honoured guest. Special guests included Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Dr Anuradha Bhadra, and Group Adviser of ACI PLC Dr F. H. Ansari.

The session was chaired by BFRF President Dr Joarder Faruk Ahmed. The welcome speech was delivered by Secretary General Dr Md Monirul Islam, and the vote of thanks was given by Vice President Dr Md Khaled Kanak.

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Adviser made the remarks while chairing a seminar titled “One Health Program: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Strategies”, organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at Hotel Inter Continental on Wednesday afternoon.

The Adviser said presence of senior representatives from the ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Fisheries and Livestock at the same table reflected a real commitment at the policy level. “Today we are not only discussing One Health as a concept, but moving forward together in practice,” she said.

She emphasised that One Health should not remain a topic for speeches alone. “It requires real political commitment, policy alignment, and a willingness to work together. The era of fragmented action is over. What we need now is a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach,” she added.

The adviser pointed out that while people suffer from diseases, human actions often create health risks. Unsafe food, environmental pollution, excessive use of antibiotics, and unplanned urbanisation are major contributors to rising health threats. She stressed the need to prioritise prevention and strengthen primary healthcare to address these challenges.

She also highlighted that climate change, zoonotic diseases, food safety, and public health are closely linked. In response, the government has decided to implement the proposed One Health initiative through a single Development Project Proposal (DPP), jointly managed by the three ministries, with three project directors to ensure coordinated implementation across sectors.

Expressing optimism, Farida Akhter said that by considering human health, livestock, fisheries, and the environment together, Bangladesh would be able to implement One Health effectively and set a strong example for other countries.

Speaking as an honoured guest, Adviser for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Water Resources, and Information and Broadcasting Syeda Rizwana Hasan said development planning must place environmental protection, biodiversity, and public health at its core. She warned that environmental destruction in the name of development ultimately harms society. “We can build roads and infrastructure, but we cannot recreate the Sundarbans or restore a river once it is destroyed,” she said.

She noted that climate change, pandemics, and environmental crises continue to remind us that all elements of nature are deeply interconnected. “Humans are not owners of nature; we are part of it,” she said.

Rizwana Hasan also identified major obstacles to implementing One Health, including excessive procedural complexity, weak coordination among ministries, and delays in decision-making. She called for the formation of effective advisory committees at national and district levels, along with clearly defined focal points in each ministry.

Another honoured guest, Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said that human health must remain central to the One Health approach. He explained that the importance of fish, livestock, and environmental health ultimately lies in their impact on human health, food safety, and livelihoods.

Describing the proposed One Health project as an “eye-opening” initiative for Bangladesh, he said it aims to build the capacity to detect health risks early and respond in a timely manner by viewing people, animals, and nature through a single integrated framework.

A joint keynote presentation on One Health was delivered by IEDCR Director Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Md Zahidul Kabir, and Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian.

The seminar was also attended by Planning Commission Member (Secretary) Dr Kaiyum Ara Begum, Health Services Division Secretary Md Saidur Rahman, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, and Planning Commission Member (Secretary) for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman. Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber delivered the vote of thanks.

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She said the number of open waterbodies in the country is shrinking fast, which is a major threat to fish production. “We must identify important waterbodies, set up sanctuaries, and make sure our policies directly deal with these challenges. Protecting open-water fisheries is the only way to secure our biodiversity for the future,” she urged.

Farida Akhter also warned that many native fish are facing the risk of genetic extinction. She reminded that fish are an essential part of the Bangladeshi diet and conserving them is important not only for the country but also for global fisheries.

Highlighting the achievements of BFRI, she said the institute has successfully restored 41 local fish species that were once close to extinction, out of a total of 64 species under threat.

She also expressed concern about harmful fishing practices, such as the use of poison and electricity, which destroy aquatic life. Pollution, especially from plastics, is worsening the problem. “The recent global meeting on plastic waste could not reach an agreement. Since the proposed treaty was harmful for both people and nature, Bangladesh did not sign it,” she explained.

The seminar was chaired by BFRI Director General Dr Anuradha Bhadra and attended by senior officials, scientists, fishers, and other guests.

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Akhter stated that once approval is granted by the Ministry of Finance and the Bangladesh Bank, the bank’s operations will commence. She expressed optimism that the initiative would help stabilize fish prices, benefiting both producers and consumers.

Following her inspection, she inaugurated a low-cost food distribution program in front of the district office, aimed at providing essential commodities at subsidized prices during Ramadan.

She further emphasized that the low-income population will be the primary beneficiaries of this initiative. Efforts are underway to ensure that this program continues throughout the year, making essential food products more accessible and affordable. She also mentioned that similar initiatives have already been launched in several districts and upazilas across the country.

The introduction of the Fisheries and Livestock Bank is expected to bring financial support to fishermen, livestock farmers, and small-scale entrepreneurs, providing them with access to loans, modern equipment, and sustainable farming practices. This, in turn, could enhance production efficiency, ensure food security, and contribute to the overall economic growth of the sector.

The government’s continuous focus on financial inclusion in agriculture and fisheries aligns with its broader goal of supporting rural livelihoods, stabilizing market prices, and promoting sustainable farming. The upcoming launch of the bank will be a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sector.

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