Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today called upon the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to step up efforts in deep-sea fishing and modernise livestock services, saying the country is missing out on enormous potential.
“This is such a unique ministry; it holds both our oceans and our farms. But we haven’t yet stepped fully into the world of the sea,” he said while speaking at a meeting with ministry officials at the State Guest House Jamuna here.
“We need to understand what fish resources we have, what we’re missing, and why we’re lagging behind. This sector can open up a whole new world for our economy if we do it right.”
He emphasised the importance of conducting proper surveys in the Bay of Bengal to identify viable deep-sea fishing zones, adding that Bangladesh could bring in expertise from countries like Japan or Thailand if necessary.
“Japan has already shown an interest in helping us; we’ll see if a joint venture is possible. But first, we need reliable data,” he said.
“This isn’t just about catching more fish; it’s about building an industry,” Prof Yunus said.
The Chief Adviser said the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute in Cox’s Bazar should be closely involved in research and suggested organising international conferences to bring in global experts and ideas.বিস্তারিত