Dhaka, Aug. 8 -- The government is taking steps to establish more fish sanctuaries in haors and wetlands to increase the breeding and production of native freshwater fish, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said Saturday.

He also said initiatives are underway to replace the existing leasing system for water bodies with a new mechanism aimed at protecting the interests of local communities.

The minister made the remarks while talking to journalists after inspecting the venue of the inaugural ceremony of National Fisheries Week 2026 at Achmita George Institution Mini Stadium in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj.

He said Bangladesh once had abundant native fish in its haors, baors, rivers, canals and wetl...