Bangladesh fish hatcheries raise standards

Caritas Bangladesh has since 1980 assisted thousands of fishermen to achieve self-sufficiency through the supply of fish fry and its microcredit and advocacy programs.

“I took a fisheries loan from Caritas and also obtained fish fry,” said Iqbal Hossain, a Muslim fisherman from the northwestern Rajshahi district.

“The interest rate is a manageable 6 percent and I’m sure to make a good profit from my small fishing business,” he said.

Hossain was attending a local Caritas Rajshashi event to mark National Fisheries Week organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Hundreds of fishermen joined the closing ceremony for the cultural and awareness-raising program, which was also attended by Member of Parliament Fazle Hossain Badsha and local Caritas officials.

“The difference between Caritas and private hatcheries is that Caritas produces and sells fresh fry, which is very important for fish cultivation,” said Mohammad Harun, 31, another Muslim fisherman.

“Moreover, it is cheaper, so every year I obtain fry from the Caritas hatchery here.”

Shanti Mondol thanked Caritas for helping her with microcredit.

“I’ve changed the fortune of my family through fish cultivation and the Caritas loan was a great help indeed. We’re leading a happy life,” said the 35-year-old Hindu woman.

Fishermen proudly holding their catch

Caritas launched its fisheries project in Rajshahi in 1987, said Caritas Rajshahi Education and Development officer Suklesh George Costa.

The hatchery, set up in 1994, was the first modern hatchery in the region, one of seven with Caritas fisheries projects.

“Now there is one modern hatchery in every Caritas working area,” Costa said.

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