Fishermen protest ban on sea fishing

Severe traffic congestion as Ctg highway blocked

Nazimuddin Shyamol | Published: June 09, 2019 22:19:54

CHATTOGRAM, June 09: Fishermen from Sitakunda coastal area took to the streets on Sunday morning in protest against the 65-day ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal, the source of their livelihood.
They blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway for one hour from 10:00am, causing a severe traffic congestion that lasted for several hours.
According to sources, the government has imposed the ban with effect from May 20 in order to preserve fish stock and ensure proper breeding of fishes. The ban will continue up to July 23.
The authorities have also taken legal measures against those found catching fishes or crustaceans in violations of the restriction.
At around 10:00am on Sunday, several hundred fishermen carrying oars came out onto the road and staged a sit-in on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Sitakunda area, demanding withdrawal of the ban, sources said.
"The fishermen cannot survive without fishing. But the government imposed a ban on fishing for 65 days. So, we demand that the government withdraw the ban," said Robi Shankar Joldas, a fisherman.
Liton Das, president of the Fishermen Association, Chattogram North District, said, "Fishermen have taken out loans from moneylenders at a high interest. Now, they cannot go fishing due to the ban. How the fishermen will survive?"
He also demanded that the government withdraw the ban immediately. Otherwise, he said, the fishermen would go for a movement soon.
The agitated fishermen withdrew their blockade programme at around 11:10am after the police stepped in and assured them, on behalf of the administration, that they would raise the issue with the higher authorities for a solution.
The blockade left thousands of holidaymakers who were returning after Eid vacation stranded on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway for several hours as several hundred buses, trucks, lorries and other vehicles remained stuck in a traffic congestion during the demonstration.
Sumon Das, a sub-inspector of Sitakunda thana, said the movement of vehicles has become quite normal after the fishermen left the place following assurances given by the police.
Organising secretary of the Fishing Boat Association Mostak Ahmed said, "Around 0.8 million fishermen are engaged in fishing at sea. Their families have been suffering due to the ban. The rice and foods being allocated for the fishermen during the ban should be increased."
Sources said the ban on fishing during the breeding season -- May to July -- has yielded positive result, as fish harvests increase significantly every year following the ban.
Sources said there are 248 large fishing trawlers in the country and around 200 of them are being used for commercial fishing.
During the ban, these fishing trawlers remain docked in the Karnaphuli.
Besides, around 68,000 vessels, both with and without engines, operate within 32,440 square kilometres off the coastline until it reaches the depth of 40 metres. This makes up the first level in fishing at sea.
The 241 vessels licensed by the government are allowed only up to the second and third levels. The second level extends from 40 metres to 200 metres, where the third level begins until it reaches the end of the exclusive economic zone.
Manjur Alam Bonik, an inspector of the fisheries department in Chattogram, said, "The quantity of fishes is increasing significantly day by day, thanks to the ban on fishing during the breeding season. As per Rule 55 (2) of Maritime Fisheries Act 1983, the government imposes the ban on fishing to help increase the fisheries yields."
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