BILS Dialogue with Patuakhali Science and Technology University-PSTU held on Living standards and human rights situation of small-scale fishers of Bangladesh: Findings of Sector wide Impact Assessment and Role of Stakeholders on July 28, 2022 at Seminar Hall, Faculty of Agriculture, PSTU, Patuakhali.

The main objective of the dialogue to share the findings of SWIA with teachers and students, to present ways forward to academicians and potential role players in the future, and to learn about the observations/interests of future engagement of attendees.

Patuakhali Science and Technology University-PSTU Department of Aquaculture Prof. Dr. Lokman Ali chaired the meeting and Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries Dr. Mohammad A.B. Siddik was present as a chief guest. While Department of Fisheries Management Assistant Professor Md. Hafijur Rahman acted as a moderator and Department of Fisheries Management Prof. Md. Moazzem Hossain,  Department of Fisheries Technology Chairman Dr. Md. Sazedul Hoque, Associate Professor Dr. Ferdous Ahamed, Jatiyo Sramik Federation Central Committee Social Welfare Affairs Secretary and Barishal District Committee President S.M. Zakir Hossain, MJF representative Shaikh Giasuddin Ahmed and BILS representative Rezoanul Haque Azom was speaking on the session.

The session will essentially highlight the situation of living standards and human rights of small-scale fishers of Bangladesh, on the basis of the key findings from SWIA. The session was successfully organized with the effective participation of students, and the resourceful contribution of teachers of fisheries faculty.

Dr. Mohammad A.B. Siddik expressed his heartfelt thanks to BILS and MJF for organizing this wonderful event in their organization. He said, we have emphasized not only sea-going fishers but also people involved with knitting, transportation, dry fishing, seed collecting etc. This initiative has covered almost every point and aspect of the small-scale fisheries sector of Bangladesh. Human rights are much more emphasized in our targeted developed country, so it should be a priority of the government to concentrate on securing fishers’ human and labour rights. He said, What we can do afterward, we can incorporate the rights and livelihood-based aspects of small-scale fishers in our sociology subject. He also said, If the organizer can support us with documents and inputs, we can update our outcome-based course curriculum.