Standardised quality control at every stage of fish production is essential to capitalise on growing global demand for safe food and expand Bangladesh’s fisheries exports, Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid said on Monday.

“Global market dynamics have shifted from ensuring food availability to meeting stringent food safety and quality standards,” the minister said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a national seminar titled “Fisheries Resources in Building a Self-Reliant Bangladesh: Present Context and Future Action Plan”, organised by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).

“We must align our production strategies with international market demands and current local challenges. Identifying key bottlenecks and resolving them on a priority basis will accelerate sector growth,” Amin Ur Rashid said.

The minister stressed the need to expand natural fish sanctuaries, promote eco-friendly aquaculture practices and adopt modern technologies to increase production from limited resources and space.

He said excessive reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides was polluting natural fish breeding grounds and threatening aquatic ecosystems.

On export diversification, Amin Ur Rashid urged producers and exporters to move beyond Bangladesh’s diaspora markets.

“While our diaspora provides a steady market for freshwater fish, earning more foreign exchange requires catering to the tastes and preferences of consumers in destination countries,” he said.

He identified shrimp, crab and eel as among the products with significant potential for increasing Bangladesh’s fisheries export earnings.

Speaking as the special guest, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku expressed concern over the deterioration of aquatic habitats caused by river encroachment, siltation and industrial pollution.

He said the government planned to restore aquatic ecosystems through large-scale dredging initiatives.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government has launched an initiative to re-excavate nearly 20,000 kilometres of silted rivers and canals to restore natural breeding habitats,” he said.

The state minister also raised concerns over the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in aquaculture, warning that excessive antibiotic use increases production costs and poses risks to food safety.

He said the ministry planned to launch awareness campaigns at the district level to educate fish farmers about responsible antibiotic use and safe aquaculture practices.

The seminar was chaired by BFRI Director General Dr Md Latiful Islam, while BFRI Senior Scientific Officer Dr Md Mashiur Rahman delivered the keynote presentation.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Department of Livestock Services Director General Md Shahjaman Khan, senior government officials, scientists and academics also attended the seminar.