DHAKA: Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas said the government has been formulating an environment-friendly national shrimp policy that will ensure production of quality shrimp and increase shrimp exports.

“The work for drafting the police is underway,” said the minister at a press conference organised in the city’s Matshya Bhaban Tuesday ahead of the National Fish Week.

He said the government has also set targets to produce 32.60 lakh tonnes of fish in 2011 and 34.78 lakh tones in 2013.

The Ministry has been implementing some 22 development projects and eight programmes in order to achieve the target.

If it is possible to protect ‘Jatka’ and save breeding area, Hilsha production may reach about 3.47 metric tonnes by 2012-13, he added.

This year theme for the week would be ‘Increase fish production, ensure food security’ to observe the national fish week to be held between July 21 and July 27.

Senior officials of Fisheries and Livestock ministry were present at the press conference.
 
BDST: 1826 HRS, JULY 20, 2010