BANGLADESH - A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the WorldFish Center and Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) for persuasion of joint activities for the growth of sustainable aquaculture, reports BSS.

Under this MoU, joint promotional activities including holding meetings, dialogues, conferences, research, demonstrations and advocacy initiatives, would be made to develop natural fishes and shrimp seed conservation in Bangladesh, reports FinancialExpress.

Detector general of WorldFish Center Dr Stephen J. Hall and BSFF Chairman Syed Mahmudul Huq signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.

Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Dr. Mashiur Rahman attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest while Principal Secretary Shaikh Md. Wahid-uz-Zaman, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Ujjwal Bikash Dutta,Director, Economic Growth, USAID, Bangladesh Dr Ramona EL Hamzaoui, WorldFish Center Deputy Director

General Dr Patrick Dugan were present as special guests. As per the agreement, supports would be provided for joint activities on making the shrimp and freshwater prawn industry more sustainable with practical emphasis on reducing food safety risks concern of national and international consumers.

Addressing social and environmental issues and increasing the economic and trade benefits from the shrimp and prawn production would be the other highlights of the MoU.

Speaking on the occasion, the distinguished guests said, according to the Bangladesh Fishery Sector Road Map, there is a target of producing 3.54 million tonnes of fish by 2021 as part of the country's Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and out of which 57 per cent is estimated to come from aquaculture.

In this context, they said the MoU is very important. They said that the current joint venture of the WorldFish Center and the BSFF would make very a positive contribution to develop the sector in a socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable manner and in compliance with the nationally and internationally recommended rules, regulations and practices.

"Bangladesh will have to go a long way to achieve the much desired protein food security, aquatic food safety, new employment generation, poverty reduction and overall economic development of the country," they observed