Farida Akhter, fisheries and livestock adviser to the interim government, has said export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa for Durga Puja was allowed at India's repeated request. This year, however, less will be exported than before, and at a higher price.

She was speaking on the afternoon of 13 September at a views-exchange meeting on increasing fish resources in the water body next to Burir Bandh in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, organised jointly by the district administration and the Department of Fisheries.

"We have said again and again that the country's demand will be given top priority. As a neighbour we have to send some hilsa at India's request. But this time it is much less than the demand and at a comparatively higher price," Farida Akhter said.

Issuing a stern warning to makers and sellers of illegal nets, the adviser said: "Drives are not only for fishermen. Strict action will also be taken against those who make, sell or use illegal ring nets. Those destroying the country's aquatic resources will not be spared in any way."

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana. Present were acting director general of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf, Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam and district fisheries officer Arafat Hossain, among others.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.