The initiation of a two-month-long fishing ban, encompassing all types of fishing, including the capture of jatka (ilish fry), within the 70-km Padma-Meghna sanctuary is set to begin this Friday. This measure impacts 43,000 registered fishermen in the Chandpur region.
Enforced by district and upazila task forces, the ban is strategically implemented to safeguard the aquatic ecosystem and enhance the production of ilish, a sought-after fish variety.
Stretching from Shatnal in the Matlab Uttar upazila to Charbhairabi in the Haimchar upazila, the sanctuary has seen task force meetings ensuring the seamless execution of the government’s conservation program. Awareness sessions have also been conducted with fishermen in villages along the Padma-Meghna.
Golam Mehedi Hasan, the District Fisheries Officer, mentioned that fishermen abstaining from catching jatka from March 1 to April 30 will receive 40kg of food aid per person. Rice distribution has already commenced at the union level, emphasizing maximum efforts to enforce decisions made by the district task force for jatka protection.
Executive magistrates, integral to the task force, are prepared to take stringent action against any fishermen violating the ban.
Despite expressing commitment to complying with the fishing ban, concerns have been raised by fishermen in areas like Ananda Bazar regarding the adequacy of provided food assistance, given the soaring prices of goods leading to increased debts.
Fishermen Jalal Dewan and Hridoy Hossain, hailing from a Meghna coastal village, underscored the necessity of doubling government assistance, citing a lack of alternative income sources during this period of unemployment.
Kamruzzaman, Officer-in-Charge at the Chandpur River police station, assured preparedness to implement the fishing ban and stressed strict action against any irregularities found in the river.
Tanjimul Islam, Senior Fisheries Officer in Chandpur Sadar Upazila, affirmed that strict measures would be taken against fishermen disobeying the law. Regular drives by the task force are slated to protect jatka during the ban period.
