Dhaka, July 31 (V7N) – Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to significantly enhance deep-sea fishing operations and modernize the livestock sector to unlock its full economic potential.

Speaking at a high-level meeting with ministry officials at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday evening, Dr. Yunus remarked, “This is an exceptional ministry; under it we have both seas and farms. But we have not yet fully entered the world of the sea.” He emphasized the need to explore the vast marine resources and address the reasons why Bangladesh remains behind in this domain.

Dr. Yunus urged the ministry to conduct comprehensive surveys in the Bay of Bengal to identify deep-sea fishing zones, noting that Bangladesh could benefit from the experiences of countries like Japan and Thailand. “Japan has already expressed interest in supporting us. A joint venture could be possible, but for that, we need reliable data first,” he added.

Beyond catching fish, the Chief Adviser stressed the importance of building an industry around deep-sea fishing. He highlighted the critical role of the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute in Cox’s Bazar, calling for their active involvement in marine research. He also suggested organizing international conferences to gather insights from global experts and proposed including deep-sea fishing in university curricula to train future professionals.

Turning to the livestock sector, Dr. Yunus noted persistent challenges such as food shortages, diseases, and high vaccine costs. He emphasized the need for local production of animal feed and vaccines to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness. He also pointed out Bangladesh’s strong potential in the global halal meat market, saying, “Malaysia, a global leader in halal meat, wants to invest here. We must seize this opportunity.”

Addressing the recurring crisis in the rawhide market during Eid al-Adha, Dr. Yunus stressed the need for early planning to prevent syndicate-driven disruptions and called for a fair and transparent rawhide trading system.

The Chief Adviser also expressed deep concern about the condition of animals at the National Zoo, describing reports of neglect and food theft as “inhumane.” He called for full-scale renovation of the zoo and emphasized the need to modernize animal hospitals across the country.

The meeting was attended by Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Faiz Ahmad Tayyeb, and senior secretaries from various ministries.

END/RH/AJ