A government initiative aimed at conserving and developing indigenous fish species and snails has significantly increased fish production while improving the livelihoods of thousands of poor fishing families in the southern region.
Under the “Conservation and Development of Native Fish Species and Snails Project,” launched in July 2021 with a budget of Tk 195 crore, authorities targeted a 16% increase in native fish production across 52 upazilas in 10 districts under Dhaka, Khulna and Barisal divisions. The project began operations from Gopalganj and is scheduled to end on June 30 this year.
Project Director Md Khaliduzzaman said native fish production in the project areas stood at around 4 lakh metric tons in 2021. The target was to raise production to 4.64 lakh metric tons. According to project data, fish production has already increased by nearly 50,000 tons by 2025, surpassing expectations.
The project introduced cage fish farming, rice-field fish cultivation and other adaptive technologies to create alternative income opportunities for fishermen. Around 30,000 fishers received training in sustainable and safe fish farming practices. Authorities also established 200 fish sanctuaries to support natural breeding and growth of native species while conducting drives against illegal fishing nets.
To discourage fishing during breeding seasons, the project provided alternative livelihood support to 16,650 poor fishing families. Among them, 8,405 families received two female goats each, 7,945 families received heifer calves and 300 families were given vans for income generation.
Beneficiaries say the initiative has transformed their lives. Zarina Begum of Kotalipara upazila said her family received two goats two years ago after her husband stopped fishing during spawning season. “The two goats have now become 13. We already sold two for Tk 12,000 and plan to sell more during Eid-ul-Azha,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Rahima Begum of Gopalganj Sadar, said a heifer provided by the fisheries office now produces milk daily, adding to the family income while her husband works as a farm laborer instead of fishing during breeding periods.
Local fishermen say native species such as koi, shing, magur, punti and tengra have become more abundant in canals, rivers and wetlands due to reduced fishing during spawning seasons.
Gopalganj District Fisheries Officer Md Kamrul Islam said the project has played a major role in protecting indigenous fish resources. “If similar projects are expanded nationwide, fish production will increase further and native fish species can be protected from extinction,” he said.