Fish and rice are integral to the Bengali diet, and the combination has been part of our cultural heritage for centuries. However, fish in rivers and canals is no longer as common as it once was. One of the primary reasons for this decline is the use of illegal fishing nets.
Currently, various rivers, canals and water bodies in the country are witnessing widespread use of a type of net known as the 'China Duari,' alongside the banned 'current nets'. These nets indiscriminately catch fish, including juveniles and broodstock, posing a severe threat to the country's natural fish production and biodiversity. Not only fish, but crabs, turtles, snails, frogs, and other aquatic creatures are also being trapped and destroyed in these nets.
Moreover, the China Duari nets disrupt the natural tidal flow of water, leading to sediment accumulation at river mouths, which increases the risk of river silting. This is highly detrimental to aquatic biodiversity, including fish. As a result, rivers, canals, and wetlands are gradually becoming devoid of fish.
The legally approved mesh size of fishing nets is 5.5 centimetres. Any net with a smaller mesh size is prohibited by law. Although the China Duari is not specifically mentioned in the list of banned nets, it lacks legal standing under existing regulations.
Typically, the traps used in China Duari nets are constructed with fine mesh attached to a circular or rectangular frame made of iron rods. These nets usually range from 26 to 35 yards in length. The ease with which these nets capture large quantities of fish has led unscrupulous fishermen to increase their usage, severely disrupting natural fish production and lifecycles.
To protect biodiversity, immediate and effective measures must be taken to ban the use of China Duari nets. Awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate the public about the harmful effects of these nets, and regular raids should be organised to destroy them. Legal actions must be enforced against violators, and the production and sale of these nets should be banned.
To restore the abundance of fish in the country, it is essential to end the use of these harmful nets. If not, the country's native fish species and biodiversity will be on a path to irreversible destruction.
S. Ali Durjoy
Student, Rajshahi College
salidurjoy@gmail.com
