Banned trawling boats in the Bay of Bengal are indiscriminately killing 375 species of marine fish, including hilsa. To protect the future of the fish, an important meeting was held in Patuakhali to ensure fishermen take part voluntarily in removing the equipment of illegal trawling boats.
On Saturday morning (the report gives the date as 9 July), at the BFDC market of the Mohipur fish landing centre, fishermen voluntarily removed illegal trawl gear from their boats on the advice of the district administration and the Department of Fisheries. A meeting on protecting marine fish resources followed, attended by fishermen's organisations, the trawler owners' association, the Coast Guard, public representatives and journalists.
Ordinary fishermen said it was very happy news that the government had finally acted, and thanked it. They asked the government to make sure no more trawling boats are built in future. Trawl fish traders in the district also called for international trawling to be stopped.
Officials' warnings
"Some trawlers in the Bay of Bengal are still using unauthorised equipment, which harms marine biodiversity and endangers fishermen's long-term livelihoods. Swift action will be taken against them," said Dr Md Abdur Rauf, director general of the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries.
Captain Imam Hasan Azad, (C), zonal commander of the Bangladesh Coast Guard's southern zone, said regular patrols are being carried out for maritime security and the conservation of fish resources. No action will be taken against those who remove illegal equipment voluntarily, and they will be encouraged, he said.
The meeting was presided over by Md Alfaz Uddin Sheikh, director of the Department of Fisheries in Barishal, and moderated by Patuakhali district fisheries officer Md Kamrul Islam. Special guests included Dr Abu Naim Muhammad Abdus Sabur, joint secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Captain Imam Hasan Azad; and Md Jewel Rana, deputy director (deputy secretary) of local government in Patuakhali.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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