Fisheries Organization in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION

Bangladesh is fortunate enough having an extensive and huge water resources scattered all over the country in the form of small ponds, beels (natural depressions), lakes, canals, haors, baors, small and large rivers and estuaries covering an area of about 4.34 million ha. Fisheries sector of Bangladesh, thus, becomes highly diversified in resource types and species. There are about 735 species of fish and 48 species of shrimp available in the fresh and marine waters of Bangladesh. Fish and fisheries resources play a vital role in the socio-economic development of the country. The fisheries sector contributes about 63% of the national animal protein intake, 5.24% to GDP, 5.3% to our national income and 12% of the total foreign exchange earnings of Bangladesh. This sector provides full-time and part-time employment facilities to about 13 million people. This sector is the second
largest export industry in Bangladesh (DoF, 2003).

The country earns about Tk.2032.75 crore through exporting the fish and fishery products (DoF, 2002). But in the context of world wide production, the production of the fishery products in Bangladesh is not appreciable. This is because of the lack of technology and trained manpower which are the major constraints to both fresh and brackish water aquaculture development and management. Although the geographical configuration and climatical conditions indicate tremendous potential for fisheries development and management in Bangladesh, the total fish production in the inland waters is not appreciable for many reasons. As a result, a greater amount of daily protein requirement that comes from fish, decreasing day by day. On the other hand, man’s dependencies on aquatic resources are increasing day by day as the population increases.

Considering the importance of fish and fishery products many organizations and institutions have been established directly either by our government or some non-government organizations. These organizations or institutes have been working for the development and management of our vast aquatic resources.

LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS OR INSTITUTIONS

The different organizations involved in fisheries management, conservation, production, education, research and extension are the followings:

1) The Government Organizations or Institutions (Table 1)

1. Department of Fisheries (DoF)
2. Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC)
3. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI)
4. Different Fisheries Academies
5. Different Universities offering fisheries education

2) Supporting Organizations

1. Different commercial banks providing fisheries/aquacultural credits
2. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
3. Ministry of Land
4. Ministry of Local Government
5. Ministry of Irrigation, Water Development and Flood
6. Ministry of Educstion
7. Ministry of Commerce
8. Ministry of Industry
9. Ministry of Sports and Youth Development
10. Ministry of Planning
11. Ministry of Finance
12. Ministry of Shipping and
13. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3) The Non-Government Organizations

1. Different commercial banks providing fisheries/aquacultural credits.
2. Different NGOs having fisheries/aquaculture programs

Table 1: Government agencies involved in fisheries management and conservation

(Source: MoFL, 1995)

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES (DoF)

Introduction

The creation of a Fisheries Department for administration and management purposes in Bangladesh, dates back to the turn of the last century during the British rule. It was then redesignated as Directorate of Fisheries (DOF) in 1947, having mixed fortunes in its hierarchical status within the government agencies during the Pakistan period (1947-71) and the post-independence years (FAO, 1985). Very recently, when fisheries became a part of the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the DOF was relegated to share a Division with livestock in the Ministry. However, since the latest organization of the government agencies (1985) the Directorate is now placed separately under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL). Its main responsibilities include administration, management, development, extension and training. There are two other organizations that work under the administrative umbrella of the MoFL. These are the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI). However, the principal organization responsible for fisheries development and management is currently the Department of Fisheries (DOF) with marine and inland wings in four administrative divisions.

In addition, several other government agencies and government bodies like the Ministry of Local Government, rural Development and Cooperatives; the Ministry of Lands; the Ministry of Irrigation; Water Development and Flood Control with the help of their affiliated institutions are actively involved in fisheries administration, management and development.

Mandate of the DoF

• Transfer of Technology
  • Dissemination of modern technology on Aquaculture, Fishery management and hatchery operation etc.
  • Training and advisory services to the people on Aquaculture and management.
  • Render advisory services to provide credit on fisheries.

• Conservation of Fisheries Resources
  • Enhancement of fisheries through conservation and management of fisheries resources.
  • Enforcement of fisheries Rules, Regulations etc.
• Quality Control of Fish and Fisheries Products
  • Ensure quality of fish and fishery products and issuance of health certificate of exportable fish products.
  • Enforcement of Fish and Fishery products (Inspection and Quality Control) Rules.

D. Others

• Advising the Government in formulating policies related to fisheries.
• Collection of data on fisheries and its compilation, editing and publication.
• Plan formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Fisheries Development Projects.
• Poverty alleviation through fisheries activities.

  (Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)
  

Activities of DoF

• Fisheries Extension Service
  

In the recent past, several development projects of Dof have been launched with strong extension and institutional strengthening components for both carp and shrimp culture. Different approaches and strategies of aquaculture have been adopted under different projects. DoF has engaged a number of NGO’s in extension activities under some of its projects. Extension efforts of DoF both in revenue as well as development set-up are still inadequate. Extension services include technical advice on all sorts of aquaculture and related activities, publication and distribution (Free of Cost) of booklets, posters, leaflets etc.

There is a need to strengthen DOF’s capability to cater the service to the private sector in aquaculture production and marketing.

• Training
  
  • To provide training to Fisheries personnel and aquaculturists, marginal farmers, un-employed youths and women is one of the mandates of the Department of Fisheries.
  • To ensure the direct participation of the fishermen for the maximum utilization of inland fisheries resources and to enjoy the whole benefit by them New Fisheries Management Policy was adopted in 1986 by the Government.

• Fisheries credit facilities
  

Several credit programs were launched by the Government of facilitate fisheries activities at private. Some of these are:

• Credit programs for private aquaculture (since 1978).
• Collateral free credit program for aquaculture under Aquaculture Extension Project in Mymensingh (since 1988-89).
• From different development projects

• Fisheries act, ordinance, rules etc.

DoF made some act, rules and regulations to manage and conserve the aquatic resources. Among these rules, the followings are mentionable:

• The Private Fisheries Protection Act, 1889.
• The Tank Improvement Act, 1939.
• The Bangladesh (the then East Bengal) Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950.
• The Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan) Fisheries Development Corporation Ordinance, 1964.
• The Marine Fisheries Ordinance, 1983.
• The Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and quality control) Ordinance, 1983

  (Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)
  

Table 2: Projects Undertaken by DoF during 2003-2004 (Source: DoF, 2003)

BANGLADESH FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BFRI)

Introduction

Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) was established in 1984 with its first station at Mymensingh. The Institute was then named as Fisheries Research Institute (FRI). In 2001 it was decided to change the name into Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) in order to remove the confusion with Forest Research Institute (FRI). The Headquarters of the institute is situated at the Freshwater Station of the Institute, Mymensingh (MoFL, 1995). The Institute functions through the following divisions in respect of development, coordination and operation of its research program.

Research division comprises of two units, one being a program taking care of planning and monitoring of research and of statistics and socio-economic studies; and the other being the operation unit taking care of operation of the four Research Stations, the Freshwater Station (FS) at Mymensingh, the Riverine Station (RS) at Chandpur, the Brackishwater Station (BS) Paikgacha at Khulna and the Marine and Fisheries Technology Station (MFTS) at Cox’s Bazar. There are two substations, Reservoir Fisheries Management sub-station, Rangamati, Flood plain Ecosystem Management sub-station, Santahar.

Activities of BFRI

• Research Division
  

  This division comprises of two units:

  • The program section which taking care of planning and monitoring of research and statistics and socio-economic studies
  • The operation unit which taking care of operation of the four reseach stations, namely, the Freshwater Station (FS) at Mymensinghm, the Riverine Station (RS) at Chandpur, the Brackishwater Station (BS) at Paickgacha of Khulna and the Marine and Fisheries Technology Station (MFTS) at Cox’s Bazar.

  There are two sub-stations:

  a)    Reservoir Fisheries Management Sub-station at Rangamati

  b)    Flood Plain Ecosystem Management Sub-station at Santahar, Bogra

• Training and Co-ordination
  

  This division provides short-term training programs on different aspects of fish culture and technology to field level extension workers, fish farmers and relevant staff engaged in various non-government and government organizations. Besides, arrangements are periodically made for holding of seminars, workshops, symposia and academicians and conferences with a view to exchange the ideas among the planners, academicians and researchers of the country. Co-ordination of similar programs undertaken by the headquarters and the research stations is the responsibility of this division. A strong library system is under way for timely dissemination of the largest knowledge among the researchers.

• Support Service Division
  

This division has two units:

• The technical division with the responsibilities of engineering and procurement activities and
• The administration and finance section with the administrative and financial activities of the Institute

  (Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)
  

Table 3: Projects undertaken by Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute

(Source: DoF, 2003)

Table 4: Projects undertaken by Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute

(Source: DoF, 2003)

BANGLADESH FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BFDC)

Introduction

Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) was established in 1964 under the Directorate of Fisheries of Pakistan. In 1985, the Directorate of Fisheries was placed separately under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL). Its main responsibilities include administration, management, development, extension and training. There are three organizations that work under the administrative umbrella of the MoFL. These are the Department of Fisheries (DoF), the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) and the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI).

Activities of BFDC

1.    Take measure for the development of fisheries and fishing industry

2.    Establish fishing industries

3.    Establish units for preservation, processing, distribution and marketing of fish and fishery products

4.    Acquire, hold and dispose of fishing crafts

5.    Undertake surveys and investigation for fisheries resources

6.    Establish fish catching unit to build up organized body for fisheries exploitation

7.    Lend fisheries industry and fishermen co-operative committee

8.    Encourage fishermen co-operative society

9.    Take measure and establishment of training and research institute for fisheries resources exploitation, processing, transportation, storing and distribution

10.    Establish organization for fish and fisheries products export

(Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)

FISHERIES ACADEMY

Role of Different Fisheries Academies

Table 5: List of fisheries academy, their location and role

(Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)

Table 6: Project undertaken by Marine Fisheries Academy

(Source: DoF, 2003)

UNIVERSITIES

Role of Different Universities

1. Bangladesh Agricultural University
   

   The Bangladesh Agricultural University at Mymensingh, there is a full-fledged faculty of Fisheries which proves formal curriculum in the field of inland and marine fisheries, which include biology culture, processing, nutrition, disease, engineering, extension, economics, etc. Of the inland and marine fisheries presently the faculty has 3 Department. One research station at Potenga. One aquaculture experimental farm. The faculty has linkage with different foreign Universities, UK under ODA programme. The following research are available:

   i) Studies and improved production, processing, transportation and handling

   of shrimp and their cost benefits at farm level

   ii) Identification, characterization and control of disease of shrimp and prawn in

   Bangladesh

2. Khulna University

The Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology (FMRT, then Marine Biology) Discipline was established in 1992 with a mandate to establish an avenue for research and academic programs in all aspects of fisheries. The University has started its programme of higher education through launching MS Programme in this Discipline.

3. Chittagong University

This University has an Institute of Marine Science (IMS). This Institute is used to

cover courses particularly in Marine Fisheries. However, The Institute can hardly

manage facilities for meaningful fisheries activities.

4. Dhaka University

The University of Dhaka continued with fisheries as a special group under the Department of Zoology and the Department of Aquaculture. The course curriculum of the Department of Aquaculture is similar to those of other Universities.

5. Rajshahi University

The University of Rajshahi has also started a special group for Fisheries under

the Department of Zoology and the Department of Aquaculture.

Beside the above Universities, the Department of Zoology of Jahangirnagar University and the Begum Zebunnesa Fisheries College of Jamalpur have courses on Fisheries.

(Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)

COMMERCIAL BANKS

List of Commercial Banks

1.    Bangladesh Krishi Bank

2.    Sonali Bank

3.    Agrani Bank

4.    Janata Bank

5.    Rupali Bank

6.    Samabay Bank

7.    Karmosangsthan Bank

8.    Islami Bank Ltd.

9.    Arab Bangladesh Bank Ltd.

10.    Prime Bank, etc

Role of Different Commercial Banks

As the population increases consumption rate is also increasing, but in comparison to fish production it is decreasing due to several factors. To address the issue, different banks of the country have taken step through various schemes with the aim of increasing fish production in a sustainable manner alleviating poverty by increasing employment opportunities, earning foreign exchange and improving socio-economic conditions of fisheries and fish farmers. Considering the importance of fisheries sector the banks are playing vital role in the development and management of fisheries, such as:

• Banks involvement in various fisheries credit program to meet the vast credit requirements of the fish farmers, fishermen, fish processors and other fisheries related activities.
• The concept of fisheries credit has been changed so that small scale fishermen and fish farmers are better-served.
• Banks lending-procedure for small loans have been made collateral free so that small fish farmers and fish farmers and fishermen get credit facilities.
• As far as possible small loans are administrated as group based following micro credit concepts.
• Interest is charged from the borrowers so that the institutions remain economically viable.
• Bank based credit schemes are continued to support the needs of different types of fish farmers, fishermen, fish processors and so on.
• Mechanisms are gradually developing so that overlapping loan operation does take place and defaulter of one bank can not get accommodation in other banks.
• Reward for fulfilling disbursement target and good recovery of loans side by side penalty mechanism for poor disbursement has been introduced to ensure accountability of the person concerned.
• Reward for food repayment and penalty for defaulter borrowers/entrepreneurs are going to be introduced.
• The Bank conducted a comprehensive fisheries sector review in 1991 which provided the basis to a strategy agreed with Government pf Bangladesh for developing the sector.

  (Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)
  

NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs)

List of Different NGOs

There are many NGOs that work on fish and fisheries resources management and conservation in Bangladesh. Among them the followings are recognized by our government:

1.    Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)

2.    Proshika Mannobik Unnayan Kendra

3.    Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS)

4.    Care International Bangladesh (CARE)

5.    Caritas Bangladesh

6.    Association for Social Advancement (ASA)

7.    Gano Shahajya Sangstha (GSS)

8.    Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB)

9.    Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)

10.    Saptagram Nari Swanirvar Parishad

11.    Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB)

12.    Friends in Village Development

13.    Manabik Sahajaya Sangstha

14.    Technical Assistance for Rural Development (TARD)

15.    Samaj Unnayan Protesta

16.    Dipshikha

17.    Annayyan Mahila Samity

18.    Activities for the Landless Organized with Consciousness (ALOC)

19.    Bangl;adesh Nari Pragati Sangstha

20.    International Union for Conservation of Nature and Neutral Resources

21.    World Fish Bangladesh

22.    Department For International Development (DFID)

23.    South Asia Partnership- Bangladesh (SAP)

24.    Nature Conservation Movement

25.    Asian Wetland Bureau

26.    DANIDA

27. Bangladesh Development Service Centre (BDSC).

28. National Development Foundation (NDF).

29. Society for Conservation of Nature and Environment (SCONE).

30. The Church of Bangladesh Social Development Program.

(Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)

Activities of Different NGOS

1.    Mono- and polyculture of different species

2.    Nursery management programme

3.    Baor fisheries development and Management

4.    Credits programmme

5.    Extension Programmes

(Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)

Fisheries Activities of BRAC

BRAC was established on 2 February 7, 197 at sulla village under Sylhet district by Mr. Fazlay Hassan Abed, a philanthropic citizen of Bangladesh to carryout activities on human welfare and development.

Objectives of fisheries programs:

• To increase the income and employment of the targeted people.
• To create alternative employment opportunities.
• To create the availability of animal protein.
• To ensure proper utilization of aquatic resources.
• To enhance the professional skill of the people.
• To participate in the national economic activities.
• To facilitate the availability of spawn and fingerlings to the village people.

List of the fisheries programs of BRAC:

• Carp polyculture in perennial ponds.
• Carp-prawn polyculture.
• Sarputi culture seasonal ponds.
• Carp nursery program.
• Prawn nursery program.
• Carp hatchery management program (small scale).
• Prawn hatchery management program.
• Pond re-excavation program.
• Service charge of different fisheries program.
• Baor fisheries development and management.

  (Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)
  

Fisheries Activities of Proshika

Objectives:

• To create scope of employment and income generating opportunity for the rural and urban poor fish farmers and fisherfolks.
• To increase fish production and raise the nutritional status of the poor.
• To invent appropriate technology and implement.
• To increase the production of desired species to meet the requirement of fish farmers at village level.
• To re-excavate derelict ponds and encourage more women participation in aquaqculture.

Strategies:

• Organize and motivate the poor.
• Access and utilize open water bodies and ponds.
• Provide various fisheries related training to the poor.
• Provide technical, logistic and credit support.
• Access of fishermen and the rural and urban poor in both closed and open water bodies increased through building up relationship with DOF/WFP/ICLARM.
• Establish carp and prawn hatcheries.
• Establish fish nursery project.
• Provide technical and financial support to the group members.
• Ensure women’s participation in all components of the programme.
• Providing extension service for fisheries prigramme.

  (Source: Chakrabarti, 1999)
  

CONCLUSION

Most of the people of our country are poor who can not develop and manage their water bodies for want of sufficient money, technologies, etc. To overcome many problems associated in fisheries sector, our government took initial step for building of different fisheries institutions or organizations. Different commercial banks and NGOs provide loans for the development and management of our water bodies. Due to several natural and man-made factors the productions from different sources are declining which cause the threat to sustainable fisheries production. Fisheries organizations or institutions find out these problems and try to solve these. These organizations or institutions provide training, credit facilities, etc. and take different projects for manpower development, management and conservation of our aquatic resources.

REFERENCES

Chakrabarti, B. K., 1999. Fisheries Institutions in Bangladesh: Their Role in Fisheries Education and Management. An undergraduate Thesis, Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna. 3-37 pp.

Department of Fisheries (DoF), 2003. 12-26 August. Department of Fisheries (DoF), 30-55 pp.

Department of Fisheries (DoF), 2002. 10-24 August. Department of Fisheries (DoF), 55 p.

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), 1995. National Workshop on Fisheries Resources Development and Management in Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh 29 October – 1 November, 1995. 25-176 pp.

www.bangladeshgov.org/www.MoFLgov.bd

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