BARGUNA, July 30 (V7N) – More than 400,000 fish fingerlings have been released in 113 ponds in Patharghata upazila of Barguna as part of an initiative to strengthen climate resilience, support coastal communities, and promote sustainable and eco-friendly fish farming.

The programme was launched on Wednesday at a farmer’s pond near North Haritana Molla Bari Mosque in Patharghata Sadar Union. The initiative was organised under BRAC’s Climate and Environmental Innovation Programme through its Rain for Life project, funded by the Royal Danish Embassy.

Patharghata Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Hasibul Haque formally inaugurated the fish release programme. Local fisheries leaders, educators, community representatives, climate researcher and coastal investigative journalist Shafiqul Islam Khokon, and BRAC Rain for Life Project Operations Manager agriculturist Md Asaduzzaman attended the event.

Speaking at the programme, Hasibul Haque said climate-resilient fish farming has become essential to address the impacts of climate change. He emphasised the importance of selecting suitable species, adopting scientific management practices, and using modern technology to increase production and ensure sustainable fisheries.

Shafiqul Islam Khokon said coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable due to climate change. He noted that climate-resilient aquaculture can help ensure food and nutrition security, increase income, and create alternative livelihood opportunities for local people.

BRAC Rain for Life Project Operations Manager Md Asaduzzaman said the initiative aims to improve the adaptive capacity of coastal communities, expand sustainable fish farming, and ensure effective use of local water resources. He added that the project would contribute to increasing fish production, improving nutrition security, and developing climate-resilient livelihoods.

Under the project, climate-resilient fish fingerlings were released in 113 selected farmers’ ponds across different unions of Patharghata upazila, covering nearly 42 bighas of water bodies.

The released fingerlings included 109,800 monosex tilapia, 260,400 saltwater tengra, and 24,200 tara baim, totalling more than 400,000 fish fingerlings.

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