Bangladesh and India have agreed to work together on locating hilsa breeding and nursery grounds, and study its migratory routes to boost fish production and creating awareness in both the countries to conserve hilsa and other common fishes, reports UNB.

The decision was taken at the second meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in the field of Fisheries held in Goa, India recently, according to the agreed minutes of the meeting.

The Indian delegation was led by Aditya Kumar Joshi, joint secretary (Fisheries), department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries (dad&f), ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare of the government of India, while the Bangladesh delegation by Anisur Rahman, additional secretary of the ministry of fisheries and livestock. The meeting decided to create awareness among hilsa fishermen and other allied stakeholders in both the countries aiming to conserve hilsa and other common fishery resources with a coordinated management approach.

At the meeting, the Indian side sought a joint stock assessment of hilsa. Besides, it was proposed to have a coordinated cooperation plan of action for conservation and management of hilsa by incorporating the recommendations of the Bangladesh National Plan of Action on Hilsa Management and the NPoA on hilsa management being drafted by India.

For having collaboration in the field of aquaculture, especially exchange of germ plasm of identified fish species, it was agreed that the progress has been slow in developing protocols for the exchange of germ plasm of identified fish species.

It was also decided to proceed further and locate the nodal organisations in respect of aquaculture and exchange of germ plasm of identified fish species.

According to the agreed minutes, Bangladesh side requested for training their officials for stock assessment studies with the help of nodal organisations like Fishery Survey of India (FSI), and Central Marine Fisheries Institute (CMFRI) of India.

The Bangladesh delegation also sought from India for imparting onboard training on Tuna long lining in FSI survey vessels to officials and stakeholders of Bangladesh.

Besides, the issue of apprehension of fishermen who stray incidentally or accidentally into the other countries water was discussed and it was agreed that such cases should be settled expeditiously with the respective authorities.

Both countries agreed to create more awareness of the international boundary line amongst the fishermen to avoid trans-boundary drifting of fishing vessels. It was also decided to take up the above issues at appropriate level by both the parties. Taking to the news agency, an official of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry said at the meeting, Bangladesh requested for sharing pearl culture technology for both inland and marine species. It was agreed to involve CIFA, India for fre shwater pearl culture and CMFRI, India for marine pearl culture. Besides, the official said the Indian side assured Bangladesh of considering the proposal of providing green mussel farming technology.