Bangladesh has climbed from third to second place globally in freshwater fish production, overtaking China, according to the latest “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture” report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). India remains the top producer. Previously, Bangladesh held the fifth position five times before 2020. Using 2022 data, this biennial report focuses on fish harvested from open waterbodies such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Despite its rise in freshwater fish production, Bangladesh fell from third to fifth place for fish harvested from enclosed water bodies like ponds. In 2023, the country produced 48 lakh tonnes of fish, with 32 lakh tonnes from fish farming and 13 lakh tonnes from open waterbodies. Hilsha accounted for half of the open waterbody fish production, totaling 6.5 lakh tonnes.

Dr. Md Zulfiqar Ali, head of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, credited the increase in fish production to conservation efforts and fishing bans during the Hilsha breeding season. BFRI scientists have developed advanced breeding and farming techniques for 40 of the 261 fish species in Bangladesh’s open waterbodies, boosting production.

Bangladesh ranks 14th in marine fish production and ninth in crab farming. Approximately two crore people in Bangladesh are involved in the fish industry, with per capita fish consumption rising from 7.5kg in 1990 to 30kg now.

The FAO report indicates that Bangladesh contributes 13.22 lakh tonnes of freshwater fish, 11.7 percent of the global total, an increase from the previous 11 percent. India leads with 18.9 lakh tonnes, followed by China with 11.66 lakh tonnes. Myanmar, Indonesia, and Uganda follow in the rankings.

The 2022 report highlights a global fish production record of 223.2 million tonnes, valued at $313 billion, a 4.4 percent rise from 2020.

Source: The Daily Star