Seaweeds and Green Mussels are being recognized as an important marine resource around the world, can play a vital part in Bangladesh's economy if they are properly planned and commercially developed.
We should emphasize to popularize seaweeds and Green Mussels as a food source and consider as a viable economic crop in the blue economy initiative. Seaweeds and Green Mussels farming could be one of the alternate sources of income for fishing community.
Experts at a seminar on seaweeds and green mussel farming said on Saturday.
WorldFish Bangladesh organized the event in the Seagull hotel in Cox's Bazar under its USAID-funded ECOFISH II activity.
The event was attended by seaweed farmers, traders, consumers, processors, chefs, academicians, practitioners, researchers, and private sector, government officials, and development practitioners.
Speakers at the event stressed the need to harness seaweed’s potential.
The event's chief guest was Emeritus Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Sattar Mandal, former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Member of the Planning Commission of Bangladesh. He called for the formation of a sea-centric food security forum to ensure food and nutrition security and proper utilization of marine resources.
Professor (Rtd.) Dr. Md Abdul Wahab, Team Leader, ECOFISH II, WorldFish Bangladesh, presided over the programme.
Captain M Minarul Hoque, Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development, Ashraful Haque, Project Management Specialist of USAID Bangladesh; Dr. Md. Sharif Uddin, Director (Marine), Department of Fisheries attended in the event as the special guests.
Dr. Md. Asaduzzaman, Assistant Professor, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Professor & Chairman, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Dr Mostafa Ali Reza Hossain, Professor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Zahanara Islam, Chairman Zahanara Green Agro addressed in the event. Taking part in the open discussion, the speakers made various recommendations to popularize seaweed and green mussels.
Apart from organizing the seminar, the ECOFISH also organized a blue food festival at the hotel premises.
Renowned chefs, producers, and entrepreneurs demonstrated a wide range of food, cosmetics, and allied products made from seaweeds and green mussels.
