Press Release
Consultation process on FAO guideline on Small scale fisheries completed
Legal recognition and special policy for fishermen demanded
Dhaka, 18 October 2012. Today in a seminar titled ‘FAO guideline on Sustainable Smallscale Fisheries, Challenges and potentials of smallscale fishers’ speakers demanded special policy for the fishermen. they also demanded that, the process of providing identity cards to the fishermen should include the real fishermen. Development organization COAST Trust organized the seminar.
The seminar moderated by Sanat Kumar Bhowmik, Director of COAST Trust, while Manjur kader Quraishi MP, member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock was present as the Chief Guest. Among others Dr. Motahar Hossain, Assistant Director (open water bodies) of the Directorate of Fisheries, Kamal Sen Gupta, Deputy Executive Director of CODEC, Livestock researcher Dr, Hamidul Haque, Badrul Alam of Banglacesh Krishok Federation were also spoke on the occasion. Representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Rome office Tomas Stroops, representative from the ICSF India Sebastian Methew and Representative from National Fishworkers Forum (India) Debasish Syamal were also present.
Md. Mujibul Haque Munir of COAST Trust presented the problems and recommendations came from the local and regional level programs from 5 regions of Bangladesh. He informed that, COAST with the financial support from IFAD conducted 2 Focus Group Discussions and 1 workshop in each region. There was national workshop in Dhaka. He mentioned that, the key problems identifies by the fisher related stakeholders were- less access for the poor fishermen to the open water resources, unavailability of Identity cards, lacking of alternative livelihood options, unavailability of capital or loans and climate change related problems. He mentioned that, recommendations coming from various program will be placed to FAO and also to Bangladesh Government.
Badrul Alam said, all policy should be people oriented. Policy for the fisheries sector should be consulted with marginalized fishermen.
Kamal Sen Gupta said, fishermen do not have any strong platform or organization to up hold their voices. There are lacking of institutions who can take care of this community.
Dr. Hamidul Haque said, To uphold rights of the fishermen, this community should be specially recognized in all fishing laws and policies. Otherwise it is not possible to ensure various government services for them.
Dr. Motahar Hossain said, Government has started the ID cards project for the fishermen. We will try to make the project successful. So far as I Know, one government owned insurance company is going to start insurances service for the fishermen community.
Manjur Kader Quraishi said, Marginalized fishermen are always deprived of their various rights, since there are so little media to raise their voices. The are not that much organized to their own voices. We would like to identify the real fishermen. Loan and financial supports to the fishermen should be provided immediately. I think, a lot of problems can be solved if we can make the open water bodies free for all.
Reported by
Mustafa Kamal Akanda, Mobile: 01711455591
Md. Mujibul Haque Munir, Mobile: 01713367438
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