Fishermen collect eggs as carp fishes start spawning in Halda

CHATTOGRAM, May 26: Broodfish finally started releasing fertilised eggs in the river Halda, the lone natural fish breeding ground in the country, on Saturday night.

Earlier, the mother carp fishes started releasing eggs on Saturday morning following rain on Friday.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Hathazari Ruhul Amin said the broodfish released eggs last week for the first time in this spawning season and again on Saturday.

"Finally, the parent fishes started releasing fertilised eggs at 9.30pm last night," he said.

"We have taken all necessary measures to facilitate the egg collection. All the hatcheries have also taken preparations to preserve the eggs," he added.

"The government has taken several steps to stop netting of fishes in Halda in this breeding season. As a result, collection of eggs might be satisfactory this year," said the UNO.

After the release of eggs, several thousand fishermen have started collecting the eggs of carp fishes from the river in between Gorduara and Modunaghat under Hathazari upazila and in Barighona area under Raozan upazila since Saturday night.

They were still busy collecting eggs at 6:00pm on Sunday when this report was filed.

In 2018, fishermen collected 22,680 kg of eggs. The figures for 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are 1,680 kg, 735 kg, 2800 kg and 16,500 kg respectively.

"Fishermen on more than 110 fishing boats have started collecting eggs since Saturday night and continued to do so today. Many fishermen are also collecting eggs from the river stretching from Napiter Ghat area to Ramdas Munshir Hat area today," said General Secretary of Halda Rakkha Committee Mohammed Ali, who is also a journalist and a researcher on Halda.

Some egg collectors said the matured fishes started spawning on Saturday morning. There will be adequate eggs for collection in the current year, they hoped.

Kalam Uddin, an egg collector, said, "I have collected eggs from Ramdas Munshir Hat area last night."

Fisherman Profulla Jaladas, president of Egg Collectors' Association in Chattogram, said, "Hundreds of egg collectors have been collecting eggs since last night. I have already collected eggs from Azimerghat area. The egg collectors are passing a very busy day today as the spawning is still going on."

Robi Shankar Jaladas, another egg collector, said if rains continue, the number of mother fishes would increase. It is a very good sign for egg collectors.

According to sources, Halda river is the only natural fish spawning ground from where fishermen collect fertilised eggs every year. However, the number of eggs has decreased substantially over the past few years.

Sources said the Halda is believed to be one of the most important rivers for the fishing sector, as it once provided abundant supply of fertilised carp (a type of freshwater fish, including popular species like rohu, katla and mrigal) and other types of fish eggs. The environment of the river is also suitable for the broodish.

The Halda flows through Raozan, Hathazari and Fatikchari thanas in Chattogram.

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