Renewable energy use key to protecting fisheries: Experts

Lawmakers, fisheries experts and environmental activists called for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and expanding renewable energy use to protect fisheries and aquatic biodiversity.
They stressed the need to consider the environmental impact of fossil-fuel-based power plants on fish sanctuaries and breeding grounds and promote solar and other renewable energy technologies across the fisheries sector.
The call came at a discussion titled “Renewables Now to Protect Fisheries” at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday.
The event was organised under the “Renewables Now” campaign by Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA), Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF), Sundarban and Coastal Protection Movement and 34 other civil society and social organisations.
Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, coordinator of the Sundarban and Coastal Protection Movement, chaired the discussion. 
Engineer Md Ashraf Uddin Bokul, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence, attended as chief guest, while Bithika Binte Hossain, MP, was special guest.
DHORA member Iqbal Faruk said ash, hot water and other pollutants from coal-fired power plants were entering rivers, disrupting fish growth and survival, while heavy metals were accumulating in fish.
“To protect fisheries resources, we must move away from fossil fuels, phase out coal-fired power plants and install solar power facilities on their existing sites,” he said.
Mir Mohammad Ali, president of DRDF and assistant professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said excessive dependence on fossil fuels was putting fisheries resources at risk.
In his thematic presentation, he said fly ash and hot water from coal-fired power plants contributed to river pollution, reduced dissolved oxygen and harmed fish.
He called for a rapid transition to renewable energy, a planned phase-out of coal-fired power plants and installation of solar facilities at existing power plant sites.
Ashraf Uddin Bokul said duty and VAT exemptions had been provided for imports of renewable energy equipment as part of efforts to meet at least 20% of the country’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.
He said the government was encouraging rooftop solar and solar irrigation, while initiatives were underway to allocate khas land for renewable energy projects and develop battery storage facilities. 
He expressed hope that similar measures would be taken in the fisheries sector.
Bithika Binte Hossain said tackling the impacts of climate change required collective efforts alongside the expansion of renewable energy.
She stressed the need for public cooperation in implementing government plans and urged young people in particular to take an active role.
Nikhil Chandra Bhadra said the discussion should lead to collective action rather than remain limited to an exchange of views. He called on the government, experts, fishers, civil society and citizens to work together to expand renewable energy and protect fisheries resources and the environment.