Fisheries Resources of Bangladesh

Fisheries is the occupation or industry of catching fish or tapping other marine or freshwater resources. One of the major sectors of Bangladesh agriculture is represented by the fisheries sector. Being a deltaic land with numerous rivers and inland haors and beels (lakes and lowland areas of considerable size), and also ponds that are dug in populated areas for the purpose of bathing, washing and often as a source of drinking water, fish became an integral part of the food culture. In the past hardly any need was felt for fisheries education and research, because population was low and fish in plenty. Fisheries now play a major role in nutrition, employment and foreign exchange earning. Fish alone supply about 60% of animal protein and about 1.4 million people are directly employed by the fisheries sector. About another 11 million people indirectly earn their livelihood out of activities related to fisheries. The growth rate of fish production during the last seven years averaged at 6.5% which fell short of increased demand; however, the present rate of fish production has increased to about 8 percent.