Two weeks of the 60-day ban on fish netting in five rivers of the southern region have passed, but it seems that the embargo has no effect on fishermen as they are still continuing fish netting.
Directorate of Fisheries has imposed the ban on fishing in 340 kilometres areas of five major rivers in six districts of the southern region from March 1 to April 30 with a view to facilitating safe spawning and increasing fish resources in the country.
The 340-kilometre area in Ilisha, Meghna, Tentulia, Bishkhali and Padma rivers of Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, Munshiganj, Chandpur and Lakshmipur has been declared sanctuaries for fishes during the duration.
Dr Aminul Islam, divisional fishery officer, said the government had imposed the ban in 100 kilometres from Shatnol to Char Alexander in Meghna and Padma Rivers plus their branches, 90 kilometres from Madanpur to Char Shababazpur in Meghna, Ilisha Rivers and their branches, 100 kilometres from Veduria to Char Rustom in Bishkhali and Tentulia Rivers and their branches and 50 kilometres from Kalapara to Charmanik of estuary areas.
But, local sources said without any propagation and sufficient compensative subsidy, the government’s ban would not be successful.
During visits to many points of these rivers this correspondent found that fishermen were catching fishes as they were not aware of such ban.
After being informed about the ban, they, however, said they would be able to stop netting fish, if the government provided rehabilitation package to them which help them to run their families during the period.
But the fishery officer said this year except sending letter to law enforcing agencies and local administrations asking help and holding some exchange of views meetings with fishermen groups, the Fisheries Department could not be able to take other steps because of fund crisis.
Special grants and alternative employment opportunities would not be provided to the affected and unemployed fishermen for lack of fund, Aminul said.
He, however, acknowledged that wide advocacy and awareness building propagations among the fishermen and fish merchants and stern actions against violation of the ban are needed to stop such illegal fishing.
The government has sanctioned 30kg food grains for each enlisted fishermen in a month from February to May. A total of 105,862 fishermen are enlisted for the grant.
But distribution of the food grains are yet to be started as the Fisheries Department is yet to get the allocation, he added.
Israil Pandit, president of the Khudra Matsyajibi Samity, said sanctioning Tk200/300 or 30/40kg food grains per month for per- enlisted fisherman is too scanty, he said, adding that the government was providing the facilities to 105,862 fishermen, which numbered less than one tenth of the professional fishermen in six districts of Barisal division.
Fishery officials said anyone found fishing during the period from March 1 to April 30 in the restricted river areas would be subjected to punitive action, including fine of Tk5,000 to 10,000, jail and burn his fishing nets. But in the last fortnight, none was penalised or given jail for the offence.