State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku announced Tuesday that fisherfolk will be brought under the government's Farmers' Card scheme, which will also provide loan facilities to beneficiaries.

State Minister made the announcement as chief guest at a fish fry release programme at the Kaptai Lake Fisheries Development and Marketing Centre in Rangamati, where fry were released into Kaptai Lake and rice was distributed among fishers under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme.

"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already initiated the distribution of Family Cards for the general public and Farmers' Cards for farmers; fisherfolk will also be included under this scheme," the State Minister said, adding that loan facilities would be extended through the card.

Noting that fish production from Kaptai Lake has declined in recent years, the minister urged all concerned to observe a three-month fishing moratorium to allow the released fry to reach maturity.

"The fish released today will be harvested by local fisherfolk once they grow — adequate time must be ensured for their growth," he said.

He described Kaptai Lake as both a national asset and a major tourist destination, calling on all stakeholders to stop dumping waste into the lake.

"Continuous pollution may eventually render the lake unusable," he warned, adding that authorities would take necessary measures to prevent pollution and that dredging activities would be undertaken to preserve the lake's navigability.

As part of relief measures, a total of 1,074 metric tonnes of rice will be distributed in the first phase among 26,845 fisherfolk families dependent on Kaptai Lake in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, 20 kg per family over two months.

The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) has also set a target to release more than 60 metric tonnes of fish into the lake during the current season.

The programme was chaired by BFDC Chairman Md. Imam Uddin Kabir.