National Fisheries Policy.

The National Fisheries Policy is a national sectoral policy whose main objectives are: a) to increase the contribution of the fisheries sector to the socio-economic development of the country; b) to increase fisheries production; c) poverty reduction; d) to achieve economic growth through earning foreign currency by exporting fish and fisheries products; f) to preserve biodiversity.
The Policy firstly aims at ensuring the procurement of fish for open freshwater bodies. This will be done by: a) conserving fish habitats from damage, b) ensuring the lights genuine fishers in open water bodies, c) ensuring a sustainable fish harvest and conserving biodiversity, d) initiating a new integrated model for fish and shrimp culture in flood affected areas, e) implementing the Fish Conservation acts, f) punishing the discharge of wastes directly into the water bodies, g) marking all water bodies used for fisheries and ensuring their appropriate use, h) making arrangements to conserve these species and ensuring mass production of endangered fish species. Measures will be taken to improve fish culture in closed water bodies. Appropriate measures will be taken for the conservation of marine biological resources.
Special regard is given to fishermen. Union based fish farms will be established at government and private levels and fish farmers will be trained. Women will be encouraged to participate in the fisheries sector and will be trained. Priority will be given to government owned water bodies for fish culture as a means of alternative earning source for the poor fishermen. Regular training will be given by government fish farms and training centers regarding improved methods of fish culture. Jobless youth will be trained for fish culture and financial assistance will be provided for their post training fishery activities. Working efficiency and family income of fisher communities will be increased and a loan system will be developed. A non-institutional credit programme will be launched to reduce poverty and unemployment. The establishment of cooperatives will be encouraged. Priority will be given to small scale fisheries communities.
The Policy also aims at enabling more efficient and inclusive systems in the fisheries sector. Soil maps will be developed in potential fisheries areas to upgrade fish culture using modern technologies. Entrepreneurs will be encouraged to use local ingredients for aquaculture or shrimp feed production. The private sector will be encouraged to establish more hatcheries. Emphasis will be given to establish new fisheries related industries. Water control and drainage systems will be developed. Government owned water bodies will be leased for midterm periods to persons or parties engaged in fisheries. Infrastructure facilities will be developed. Facilities for quality control laboratories will be expanded. An insurance system will be established in the fisheries sector. Hygienic fish landing centers will be established. Measures will be taken to improve transportation and marketing. Fish export will be increased. Import and sale tax will be reduced for fish harvest equipment.
A National Fisheries Council will be set up to execute the National Fisheries Policy. Coordination will be developed among the concerned ministry, department, and organizations to execute the National Fisheries Policy.