WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2024 65 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 66) improved and conserved 37 domesticated varieties of freshwater fish (Islam 2022). Artificial breeding and seed production methods have been developed for six endangered carp species including Labeo bata, Puntius sarana, Chirhinus reba, L. Calbasu, L. gonia and Tor putitora, and five catfish species including, Mystus seengala, Ompok pabda, Mystus cavasius, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarius batrachus, and these are no longer considered endangered. Hatchery and nursery management techniques have also been developed (Figure 1). Many species are now being commercially cultured and their availability has significantly increased in the market. In 2022, breeding techniques for eleven local and small species were developed, and after meeting the demand from the domestic market, they are now being exported. Striped dwarf catfish, Mystus vittatus, locally known as `Tengra’ is another small indigenous species (SIS) available in inland waters of Bangladesh. After the IUCN (2016) reported it as an endangered species, staff at the freshwater sub-station Saidpur successfully carried out research on its induced breeding, nursery rearing and culture (BFRI 2017). Monopterus cuchia, commonly known as mud eel, swamp eel or cuchia, is an obligate air-breathing freshwater fish. In Bangladesh, the species is available in mud holes, shallow beels and paddy fields, living on natural foods including fish, snails, aquatic insects, invertebrates and worms. Only the tribal people consume this fish, but cuchia is commercially important because of its high export market. M. cuchia is presently exported to Japan, Korea, Hongkong, Thailand, China and Taiwan. Since culture techniques are not yet developed for cuchia, all exports from Bangladesh are collected from natural waters. BFRI has initiated research for development of seed production and culture technology for M. cuchia, and preliminary success has been achieved in ponds (BFRI 2017). Farming of small native fishes attracts Bangladeshi farmers because of low costs and decent profits. As a result, butterflyfish, carp and gulsa have been farmed on a large scale, making these fish readily available after being in short supply just a decade ago. Recently, boirali fish farming has started in different areas of North Bengal. BFRI researchers note that a particularly colorful variety native to Bangladesh is mainly used for food but is in high demand 2022). Bangladesh ranked 3rd in inland capture and 5th in culture fisheries in the world (Deb et al. 2022, Sunny et al. 2021). This sector contributes 3.61 percent to the national GDP, providing employment opportunities for 17 million people, 12 million of them directly. About twenty million people are either directly or indirectly involved with aquaculture. Around 500,000 farmers cultivate small indigenous breeds, and more than 500 hatcheries produce fish fry (Islam 2022). In addition, pearl culture has extended fisheries revenues more broadly. Propagation of freshwater, coastal and marine species has contributed to this success, while BFRI vaccines have simultaneously reduced the risk of pathogens. The Institute also develops the workforce by providing hands on training in fish breeding and aquaculture. Linkages between foreign and national organizations enhance organizational strength of the BFRI. Collaboration also generates highly skilled scientists and officers for a better tomorrow in fisheries research. BFRI actively validates technology before transfer to the farmers. Therefore, this paper talks about the research advancements making the fisheries sector strong enough to contribute to Bangladesh’s national economy. Aquaculture Freshwater. Only 20 years ago, Bangladesh’s rivers met about 80 percent of the local demand for freshwater fish, according to experts. Currently, certain species are raised for great profit in both local and foreign markets. Considering the population growth of the country, it is very good news that fish production has quadrupled in the last 12 years. Freshwater breeding supplies roughly 30 to 35 percent of the domestic demand for fish. Bangladeshis living abroad are the main consumers of the growing number of fish exports. The export scale will undoubtedly grow in the future if this trend keeps up the desired quality. As a result of the depletion of natural habitats due to changes in weather patterns and other environmental disturbances, some fish species have become extinct over time. Among 260 native freshwater fish species in Bangladesh, about 64 have already gone extinct, and since 1998 the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed another 56 as critically endangered. However, BFRI has FIGURE 2. Identified spawning seasons
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