Fish has always been an integral part of life and livelihoods in Bangladesh. It is central to our diet and culture, sustains the rural economy and supports the livelihoods of millions. But with a rising population, climate change and growing demand, how can Bangladesh ensure that fish continues to be a rich and accessible source of animal protein?
That is the challenge that World Food Day 2026 aims to address: "Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow." Innovation without impact on the ground is not innovation.
Natural fisheries will not be sufficient to meet demand
Bangladesh is fortunate to have an abundance of rivers, haors, beels, floodplains, estuaries and coastal waters that have provided food, livelihoods and biodiversity for centuries. But fisheries in Bangladesh's natural ecosystems are currently not meeting the rising demand for aquatic food.
Pollution, habitat fragmentation, altered hydrology, overfishing and the removal of juvenile fish are negatively affecting fisheries. One example is hilsa, Bangladesh's national fish, whose juveniles, known as jatka, are being caught before reaching maturity. At the other end of the reproductive cycle, brood fish are also being removed, with harmful effects on breeding. By removing both the young and the breeding stock, we are interfering with both recruitment and breeding processes and depleting a valuable natural resource that should be conserved for future generations.
Alongside jatka, young fish and broodstock of other species are being removed, threatening future fisheries. Bangladesh must take action to conserve and protect its natural fish resources.
Aquaculture is no longer optional
Currently, aquaculture produces more aquatic animals globally than capture fisheries. Therefore, Bangladesh must think about how to intensify aquaculture responsibly using existing resources. Better strains, quality seed and science-based farming are essential to keep fish affordable, farmers profitable and nutrition within reach.
Local research must be promoted and utilised
Bangladesh's fisheries innovation must be anchored in national research. The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), universities and other national bodies are central to developing and testing technologies, safeguarding seed quality and taking research from laboratories to farmers.
BFRI Subarna Rohu, a fourth-generation improved strain released in 2021, illustrates what sustained national research can achieve. But developing a strain is only the beginning. Its genetic quality must be protected, its performance monitored and reliable seed made available to farmers.
International partnerships, including those involving CGIAR and WorldFish, can bring additional expertise and resources. But they must reinforce, not replace, national leadership. Their real value lies in stronger local systems and measurable gains for farmers and consumers.
Fish is much more than just a source of protein
Fish provides high-quality protein that is easily digested and absorbed. It also provides fats, vitamins and minerals that support children's growth and the health of pregnant women and nursing mothers.
However, increased fish production alone will not improve public health. Fish must also be safe, nutritious and affordable. The true measure of success will be improved diets and better health outcomes for the population, as well as improved livelihoods for fish farmers.
New advances in carp breeding
Rohu, catla and silver carp are major species in Bangladesh's carp-based aquaculture. Improving their production through selective breeding will help increase yields without necessarily using more resources. G5 rohu, G4 silver carp and G2 catla have been developed through family-based selective breeding programmes. This has led to continuous improvements in the performance of the three species, which have long been important to Bangladesh's aquaculture industry. The rohu breeding programme began in 2012, when wild rohu seed was collected from the Halda, Padma and Jamuna rivers to supplement and improve local riverine fisheries.
Each successive generation of rohu has undergone years of meticulous scientific evaluation to improve desirable traits while maintaining genetic diversity. G3 rohu achieved a 37 per cent increase in growth rate over local riverine rohu in farmer trials. Around 300,000 farmers obtained it in 2025, laying the groundwork for the introduction of the next generation of rohu. Similar research has resulted in the development of G5 rohu, while G4 silver carp is the highest-yielding generation of that species so far. In 2026, G5 rohu and G4 silver carp were distributed to 31 private hatcheries for rearing as breeder fish, and two generations of selective breeding for catla were completed.
Higher carp production was the goal, but improved genetics, better hatchery practices and feed, disease control and appropriate marketing will all combine to improve fish farming and ensure that nutritious fish are available and affordable for food-insecure families.
GIFT: From improved genetics to improved nutrition
GIFT, or Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, is the result of more than three decades of selective breeding by WorldFish and its partners in the Philippines and Norway. This programme has developed an improved strain of Nile tilapia that thrives in diverse environments and has exceptional growth rates. The strain was created in 1988 and has since undergone 26 generations of selective breeding, with 20 generations conducted in Malaysia. Research is currently being conducted on a strain of GIFT tilapia with increased tolerance to tilapia lake virus, but it is not yet commercially available.
Bangladesh's experience with GIFT tilapia has allowed it to engage with Ghana and Kenya in a South–South exchange, sharing information on genetic management and hatchery practices, as well as establishing hatchery linkages. Bangladesh can help Ghana and Kenya optimize their tilapia seed production while gaining valuable experience in genetic management and hatchery practices.
From research ponds to people's plates
Developing an improved fish strain is only the beginning. Its journey from a research pond to people's plates depends on quality broodstock and seed, reliable hatcheries, trained farmers, responsible feed and health management, environmental safeguards and functioning markets.
National institutions must lead, while universities, businesses and farmers each play their part.
Improved technologies must not remain confined to large farms or a few hatcheries. Small-scale farmers, women and young entrepreneurs need access to quality seed, practical knowledge, finance and markets.
Higher production alone cannot be the measure of success. If more fish is produced but remains too expensive for ordinary families, the promise of improved nutrition will remain unfulfilled.
This is the practical meaning of "Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow." Innovation does not end when a new strain is developed or a research paper is published. What matters is what happens afterwards.
Can farmers use the innovation successfully? Is the seed reliable? Is production environmentally responsible? Does it improve livelihoods? Most importantly, does it help families put affordable and nutritious fish on the table?
Bangladesh must protect its natural fisheries while investing in responsible aquaculture. Conservation is essential for safeguarding ecosystems, biodiversity and fishing livelihoods. Science-based aquaculture is equally necessary to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population.
Today's fisheries research will become tomorrow's nutrition only when its benefits move beyond research facilities, strengthen national systems, support farmers' livelihoods and ultimately reach people's plates.
Md. Shohorab Hossain is a country communication specialist at WorldFish Bangladesh.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Business Standard.