Fishermen have returned to the Sundarbans for crab collection after a government-mandated two-month hiatus aimed at protecting the breeding season of crabs, ensuring their sustainable population.
The ban, focused on preserving the crab population’s reproductive cycle, concluded last Thursday at midnight. Fishermen from coastal regions like Mongla, Rampal, and Dakope were observed entering the forest on Sunday, equipped with the necessary tools for legal crab collection.
During the breeding season in January and February, the forest department had temporarily halted the issuance of pass-permits. Now, with the ban lifted, permits are once again being distributed, enabling fishermen to legally harvest crabs from the intricate network of rivers and canals within the Sundarbans.
Covering 6,017 sqkm in Bangladesh, including 1,874.1 sqkm of aquatic areas, the Sundarbans house 450 rivers and canals, along with 14 crab species. To safeguard these species, specific canals have been designated as sanctuaries, with year-round restrictions on crab collection in canals narrower than 25 feet.
Approximately 15,000 fishermen, armed with valid forest department passes, depend on crab collection within non-restricted areas of the Sundarbans for their livelihood. The annual ban aligns with crab export guidelines, aiming to strike a balance between economic interests and environmental conservation.
Anisur Rahman, a crab collector from Joymoni in Mongla, emphasized the financial challenges faced by fishermen during the ban, noting a lack of government assistance. Despite the ban’s intention, reports of illegal crab collection during the breeding season have surfaced, posing a threat to conservation efforts.
Mihir Kumar Doe, the Forest Conservator of the Khulna region, affirmed the resumption of legal crab collection in designated areas from March 2. Forest guards have been instructed to enhance patrolling to curb illegal activities. Stringent guidelines for crab transportation have been implemented, with promised divisional actions against violators.
The decision to resume crab collection brings relief to fishermen dependent on the trade, while the forest department remains vigilant to uphold the Sundarbans’ ecological balance.
