The government is cracking down on illegal fishing nets to preserve aquatic resources in the Bay of Bengal.
A 15-day special drive, starting today in the coastal areas, will initially take place in Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali, fisheries and livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque said yesterday.
“Use of illegal fishing nets in depths below 10 metres have led to the gradual decline of marine resources,” he told a press briefing in Dhaka.
The government has been conducting drives to prevent illegal Hilsa fishing and the use of these nets during the last several years.
It also launched drives to protect young fishes, said Syed Arif Sazzad, director general of the Department of Fisheries.
The law prohibits the use of fishing nets such as Behundi net, Mono-philament net, Mosquito net, Chotjal and Tong net.
Three joint secretaries of the Fisheries Ministry will lead the drive where coast guards, navy, river police and local administration will participate.
Minister Sayedul said around 250,000 fishermen had been using Behundi net, hampering fish production in the coastal areas.
“Bangladesh has plenty of aquatic resources which should be collected deliberately,” he said.
