Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Saturday spoke about the need for international promotion of Ilish, calling it a “global treasure,” while also saying that Bangladesh is not considering artificial breeding of the fish at this stage.
“Ilish is a global treasure, and it is available in Bangladesh. If we can manage Ilish properly, it is possible to introduce it to the world. Therefore, we must promote Ilish internationally,” she said while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Assessment of Breeding Success in Hilsa Resource Management, Jatka Conservation, and Future Directions."
The workshop was held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) organised the event as part of Jatka Conservation Week 2025.
Bangladesh currently ranks first among the 11 countries where Ilish is found, the adviser said, underlining the significance of effective resource management to maintain this position.
“We do not want to opt for artificial breeding of Ilish just yet. Artificial breeding has not significantly benefited our livestock sector—we must understand this. Ilish is a naturally occurring fish, and it is better to preserve its natural cycle,” Farida said, adding that stabilising the price of Ilish once it enters the market after June is also important.
She also pointed out the role of climate change in affecting Ilish spawning. She added, “the impact of salinity due to climate change is already there. Moreover, rainfall plays a role in Ilish spawning. So, researchers must explore what we can do in response to climate change.”
BFRI Director General Dr Anuradha Bhadra presided over the workshop. Additional Secretary (current charge) for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock MD Tofazzel Hossain addressed the event as the special guest.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, university faculty members, BFRI researchers, and fishermen.
