A stakeholders’ meeting on fishery industry called for introducing an e-traceability system in the sector for its promotion. In the meeting recently held at Natun Bazar Launch Ghat Road in Khulna, they agreed that e-traceability is essential for the expansion of smart fisheries in the country and gaining reputation in export of fisheries to the global market. The meeting was jointly organised by the Fish Farm Owners Association of Bangladesh (FOAB) and the Fishery Products Business Promotion Council of the Commerce Ministry.
Md Moniruzzaman, coordinator of Smart Fisheries E-Traceability Pilot Project, made a presentation on smart fisheries e-traceability piloting programme while the function was addressed by district fisheries officer Joydev Pal, Fish Farm Owners Association president Mullah Shamsur Rahman Shaheen, Khulna Quality Control Office Inspector Md Mizanur Rahman, Chrismon Rosella Company director Syed Abu Morshed, Khulna Prawn Traders Association’s former general secretary Md Wahiduzzaman Monzir, vice president Sheikh Siddiqur Rahman, proprietor of New Meghna Fish Md Harun Or Rashid, and FOAB Khulna district branch member secretary Sheikh Shakeel Hossain.
The speakers said that through introducing the e-traceability system it will be possible to keep the reputation of the shrimp industry in the global market. For this, it is necessary to ensure the supply of fish by identifying the intermediary stakeholders involved in the supply chain and covering the actual licences, they said. They also observed that It is important to bring farmers and fish collectors under a digital smart card which will help identify safe products of the farmers. As a result, sustainable employment and earning of foreign exchange will be possible for youth and women involved in fish marketing.