The Aquaculture Network of Bangladesh (ANB) hosted a three-day workshop and seminar at The Westin, Dhaka, under the theme “Building Bridges in Aquaculture.” The event brought together key figures from government, academia, private sector enterprises, research institutions, and international organizations to chart a collective vision for the future of aquaculture in Bangladesh.

As a steering group member of ANB, FISHBYTE participated actively in the discussions, contributing its expertise in technology-driven solutions for smallholder farmers and sustainable aquaculture practices.

Distinguished Participants and Speakers

The workshop featured a strong line-up of participants, reflecting the breadth of Bangladesh’s aquaculture ecosystem. Notable attendees included:

• Prof. Anthony Gallagher (Evolved Research and Consulting – ERC), who facilitated the overall sessions and guided discussions on network resilience and partnership building.
• Dr. Wendy Higman (Cefas, UK) who introduced the ANB community communication platform, supporting collaboration beyond the workshop.
• Prof. Abdul Wahab (Maritime University Bangladesh) leading the crustacean aquaculture case study session on seed quality and biosecurity.
• Dr. Monirul Islam (Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum) presenting on sustainable tilapia production and seabass farming.
• Dr. Sirajum Monir and Dr. Anuradha Bhadra from Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) have attended. The have addressed the policy and regulatory roles in small-scale aquaculture development.
• Prof. Md. Mahfujul Haque (Bangladesh Agricultural University) and Dr. Sabrina Hossain (WorldFish) highlighting opportunities for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and innovation.
• M. A. Hassan Panna, Managing Director of Desh Bangla Hatchery and Fahim Seafood, representing the private sector perspective along with exporters.
• Director General Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf (Department of Fisheries) underscoring the government’s leadership role.
  
  

Academics from Khulna University, Dhaka University, and BAU, alongside representatives from Shushilan, Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF), Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), FAO Bangladesh, and other development partners, also played vital roles in shaping the dialogue.

FISHBYTE was represented by Zubair Khan, Sayeb Ahmed Emon, and Rezwana Shafique. They contributed insights on innovation, digital platforms, and smallholder farmer connectivity.

Key Discussions

Across three days, the sessions addressed:

• Seed quality and biosecurity challenges in crustacean aquaculture.
• Sustainable pathways for finfish farming, with focus on tilapia and seabass.
• Policy and regulation to strengthen small-scale aquaculture and ensure equitable participation, including gender and social inclusion.
• Capacity building and training, emphasizing farmer education, technical knowledge transfer, and innovation.
• Network resilience and partnership models, ensuring ANB remains an enduring platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Small group discussions, breakout sessions, and plenary reviews enabled participants to identify gaps, share solutions, and propose priority actions for the sector.

Our Role

FISHBYTE emphasized how digital tools, training modules, and farmer networks can directly address productivity bottlenecks for smallholder aquaculture farmers. Our role within ANB continues to center on bridging technological solutions with grassroots realities, helping ensure that innovation is accessible, affordable, and scalable across Bangladesh.

A Collective Step Toward the Future

The Dhaka workshop reaffirmed ANB’s mission to unite diverse actors for a stronger aquaculture sector. By bringing together government officials, researchers, private businesses, and farmer-focused organizations, the Network is laying the foundation for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient aquaculture industry, supporting food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental health in Bangladesh.

For us, it was another step in advancing our commitment to empower smallholder farmers and contribute meaningfully to the national aquaculture agenda.