A seminar on “Not Just Bans, We Want Safe Alternative Livelihoods—Ensure Fair Support for Small-Scale Fishermen” was held in Bhola to advocate for the rights and fair assistance of small-scale fishermen.
The event was organized by COAST Foundation on Monday at 11 a.m. in the organization’s Bhola Center hall room.
The keynote paper was presented by Sanat Kumar Bhowmik, Deputy Executive Director of COAST Foundation. Among the discussants were Md. Iqbal Hossain, District Fisheries Officer; Firoz Al Hasan, Operation In-Charge of Bangladesh Coast Guard; and Mehedi Hasan Bhuiyan, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Rashida Begum, Assistant Director of COAST Foundation, highlighted the condition of fishermen and relevant statistics. The seminar was chaired by Mobashwer Ullah Chowdhury, a board member of COAST Foundation.
Speakers emphasized that during the fishing ban period—especially during the Hilsa breeding season—it is essential to ensure proper delivery and monitoring of government assistance to fishermen. They also stressed the need for subsidies, training, and expansion of alternative livelihood programs for the fishing communities.
They further added that although small-scale fishermen play a vital role in ensuring the country’s food security, their livelihoods are now at risk. Without proper planning and policy support, this community may be forced to abandon their profession, posing a serious threat to the fisheries sector of Bangladesh.
Local fishermen representatives, development workers, and media personnel were present at the seminar.
