'Preserve country's fisheries'
They also put forward seven-point demands for the preservation of fishing resources, especially of hilsha fish at a rally organised by Citizens Rights Movement in front of Institute of Fine Arts in the city yesterday.
Their demands included formation of all-inclusive preservation committee across the country that will monitor hilsha fry catching, strict implementation of fishing laws, making provision of free-zone for fish fry, protection of the rivers from the intoxicated industrial wastes, river training, leasing the marsh lands to the true fishermen, provision of low-interest loans and various non-farm activities for the fishermen during the dry season.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. They also said due to inadequate production of fishes in the country the average per capita protein-intake of average Bangalee has lowered to 23 to 24 gram from 35 gram a day.
In Bangladesh the annual supply of fishes is 20 lakh ton whereas the demand is 25 lakh ton, they said.
Tushar Rahman, executive director of Karmakutir, Advocate Julfia Akhter Reeta, Syed Margub Murshed, Khondakar Rashedul Huq Noba and Advocate Abed Reza spoke on the occasion.