Good catches of baghair elate fishermen

BOGRA, Dec 21: Fishermen are getting a good catch of baghair, a tasty species of fish, in Dhunat upazila of the district part of the Jamuna river this year.

Being happy with this, they do not want to waste any time on anything else and remain engaged in fishing round the clock.

A baghair fish being caught weighs 10 to 15 kg on an average. And the bigger ones of this species of fish are landing in the nets from midnight to early in the morning.

Hasinur Rahman Hawlader, 34, of Shahrabari said the amount of fishing baghair has exceeded all past records here this year. "We are fishing in small boats almost all the time everyday."

"I have caught six baghair fishes aided by three people," said Mithu Mia, 54, of Bohain villagem adding: "I expect to sell those for Tk 15,000. It sells at Tk 700 to Tk 800 per kg in the retail market."

"On average, I can catch various species of fish, baghair, weighing 20 to 25 kg everyday," said Chandan Kumar, 32, of Shaharabari. "I fish with three nets in which four other people assist me."

He said, "Big-sized baghair fish is being caught at night, especially from midnight to early in the morning everyday."

When visiting, this correspondent found people, including traders, coming from afar - Dupchanchia, Kahaloo, Adamdighi, Shibganj, Nandigra, Shajahanpur and Sherpur -to buy fresh fish, especially baghair.

Aratdar (wholesaler) Provash Chandra said, "We buy baghair fish for Tk 500 to Tk 550 per kg and send those elsewhere in the country at a satisfactory price, of course meeting its demand locally."

According to the wholesale fish trader, baghair fish is expected to abound in the river until January of the next year.

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