People from different quarters underscored the need for rehabilitation of the fishermen as an eight-month countrywide ban on ilish fry catching, known as jatka, came into effect from November 1.
They also opined that the move will kiss dust finally if necessary initiative in this regard is not adopted.
The embargo of Ilish fry catching, transportation and marketing will continue till June 30 next year across the country.
While visiting yesterday, the correspondent, however, found that Ilish fry selling was going on in the local kitchen markets unabatedly defying the ban. Besides, any action to check the misdeed by the authorities concerned was not also found.
Sources at the local and divisional fishery department said they were unable to take action against jatka catchers and traders due to fund constraint, limitation in law and lack of manpower as well as logistics support.
When asked, Barisal District Fishery Officer Wahiduzzaman said they have already formed teams to run monitoring on the rivers and later they would also operate mobile court there.
Israil Pandit, president of Bangladesh Khudra Matsyajibi Samiti, said except implementing a rehabilitation plan for the fishermen, the initiative would not be able to prevent the illegal jatka netting while poverty and unemployment would push them to defy the ban.
Bazlur Rashid, deputy director and Barisal divisional fishery officer, acknowledged the fact stated by Israil, saying they started assisting some enlisted fishermen with a food-package programme and encouraging them to chance the profession.
A fisherman named Kasem said the fry was being caught by general net and they will face trouble as there is no special net for the species that also die as soon as pulling out of water.
