CHATTOGRAM, July 23: The two-month long ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal has gone today, amidst an outstanding view of the fishermen poised to resume their job after a long wait.
The government imposed the ban on fishing on May 20 to preserve fish stock and ensure proper breeding of fish in the sea.
More than 7,000 engine boats and trawlers, including 200 large trawlers, have gone into the sea for fishing after the ban was lifted.
Now, the fishermen are on the sea for fishing and feeling lucky this season compared to the previous years, said sources concerned.
Besides, all 68,000 mechanised and non-mechanised fishing boats were set to start fishing in the sea with the ban withdrawn, the sources added.
Organising secretary of Fishing Boat Association Mostak Ahmad said, "More than 7,000 engine boats have gone into the bay for fishing as the government imposed ban has ended today."
Bigger catches of fish are being found in the bay every year after the government started imposing the ban on fishing during the brooding season from May to July.
During the ban from May 20 to July 23, the authorities had taken legal measures against those found catching fish or crustaceans.
Fishermen caught a total of 73,384 tonnes of fish in the fiscal year (FY) 2011-12, 73,030 tonnes of fish in the FY 2012-13, 76,885 tonnes of fish in the FY 2013-14, 84,845 tonnes of fish in FY 2014-15 and 100,500 tonnes of fish in the FY 2015-16, according to sources in the Fisheries Department.
There are 248 large size fishing trawlers in the country used for commercial fishing. During the ban, the fishing trawlers usually berth in the Karnaphuli River every year.
Besides, around 68,000 vessels, both with and without engine, operate within 32,440 square kilometres off the coastline until it is 40 metres deep. This makes up the first level for fishing in the sea. The 241 vessels licensed by the government are allowed only up to the second and third levels.
The second one extends from 40 metres to 200 metres while the third one extends until it reaches the end of the exclusive economic zone.
It may be mentioned that Bangladesh has gained rights to 118,813 square kilometres of territorial sea and 200 nautical miles of an exclusive economic zone through the end of the dispute over maritime border with Myanmar and India.
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