Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science Professor Dr. Kazi Ahsan Habib has received the ‘National Fisheries Medal 2025’ in recognition of his unique contribution to research in the fisheries sector. Honorable Chief Advisor of Bangladesh and Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus presented the medal to Professor Habib at the inaugural ceremony of the National Fisheries Week 2025 at the China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.
Professor Dr. Kazi Ahsan Habib’s research and technological innovations have played an important role in the development of the country’s fisheries resources and marine biodiversity management. He invented the technology of canning Hilsa fish for the first time in Bangladesh and the SAU-DOF smart solar sun dryer for safe drying during the day and night. He is also the founder of two information-rich websites, ‘Marine Biodiversity Portal of Bangladesh’ and ‘Freshwater Biodiversity Portal of Bangladesh’, which have already gained popularity as a unique platform for researchers and those interested in collecting and studying information on the country’s aquatic biodiversity. Under his leadership, three new marine fish species in the world – Chelonodontops bengalensis, Pomacentrus bangladeshius and Glaucostegus younholeei – have been discovered from the country’s waters.
Professor Habib has authored several science-based books and textbooks, including three research books on the biodiversity of St. Martin’s Island and the Sundarbans. For the first time in Bangladesh, an album book containing photos and information on the underwater corals and other biodiversity of St. Martin’s Island taken by his research team was published by UNESCO. His book on shrimp processing, “Post-Harvest Processing, Packaging and Inspection of Frozen Shrimp: A Practical Guide”, has been praised at home and abroad.
The scope of his research is also extensive. He has already published more than 60 national and international research papers on fisheries and oceanography. He updated the list of marine fish found in Bangladesh, where he mentioned 740 species of fish, which was previously known as 475. He was the first to conduct a survey in Bangladesh to determine the aquatic biodiversity of the Sundarbans through e-DNA technology in collaboration with UNESCO. He also has international patents on fishery products he has invented. He has important recognition in the international arena. He serves on the scientific committees of international organizations like WESTPAC, JSPS and Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON). He also played a leading role in starting the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.
Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Latif congratulated Professor Habib and said, “This is a matter of pride for Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. We, the Shekrub family, are very happy for this achievement.” Also, Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Belal Hossain and Treasurer Professor Md. Abul Bashar congratulated Professor Habib on this achievement.
