Dhaka, Oct. 6 -- Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid Tuesday pressed for increasing the allocation for fisheries in the national budget, while insisting that more money must come with strict transparency, accountability and an end to financial waste.

"Alongside boosting production, priority must be given to preserving the natural habitats of fish," the minister said, noting that native fish species are fast disappearing as natural water bodies shrink and the environment changes.

He was addressing a workshop titled "Budget and Government Development Vision in the Fisheries Sector," organised by the Department of Fisheries at Matsya Bhaban in the capital this morning.

Underscoring that the identity of "Ma...