Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday stressed the need for adopting modern technology in the fisheries sector to increase fish production for meeting the country's demand. The government has laid special emphasis on the fisheries sector because of its vital role in alleviating poverty, he noted. The Finance adviser was addressing as a chief guest the inaugural function of the five- day long fisheries fair at Khamarbari Krishibid field in the capital. A total of 37 stalls have been set up at the fair to exhibit their products. "We have shortage of fishes against the increasing demand as the water bodies drying out day by day," Azizul Islam said adding, "The water bodies also being filled up for the establishment of industries and other purposes". He called for recovering the lost water bodies and dredging ponds and rivers for their cultivation. Aziz said the private sector is playing a vital role to meet the demand of fish in the country. Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Sayed Ataur Rahman presided over the function while Chief Adviser Special Assistant for Fisheries and Livestock Manik Lal Samaddar, Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Fisheries Rafiqul Islam, DG of the Fisheries Research Institute Dr MA Mazid and Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Md Shahjahan addressed at the function. Manik Lal Samaddar said that the government has taken various steps to promote the fisheries sector. "The government will introduce hatchery law immediately," he said adding, "We have also taken steps to promulgate the national shrimp ordinance within three months for the development of this important sector." The government also formed a high-powered committee led by Agriculture Adviser CS Karim to implement short term, mid term and long-term plans for development of Haor area people, the Special Assistant of the Chief Adviser said. It is necessary to take steps for saving open water bodies to increase the fish production, he observed. Rafiqul Islam said that the government has earned Tk 3353 crore by exporting fishes in the year 2007-08. Dr MA Mazid said, "We have 807 species of fishes. Of the species, 260 are sweet water fishes and rest of them marine fishes." He said that the government should take permanent programme immediately by conservation of water bodies in Union Parisad level to save the huge varieties of fishes.