740 tonnes of fish landed generate Tk 16.4m revenue

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 14: Fishermen in Rangamati's Kaptai Lake have landed 740 tonnes of fish in the first 10 days of the current fishing season, generating Tk 16.4 million in fish landing revenue, according to the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC).
Fishing resumed just after midnight on August 2 following a three-month-and-four-day ban imposed to protect breeding. The ban, enforced from May 1 to July 31, is an annual measure by the local administration to conserve one of the Chattogram Hill Tracts' (CHT) key water and fish resources.
The opening day of the season saw a festive atmosphere on the lake, with fishermen hauling in 75 tonnes of fish worth about Tk 2.0 million -- up from Tk 1.5 million on the first day last year.
However, BFDC officials said heavy rainfall and rising water levels from August 5 slowed fishing activities.
"In the last 10 days until August 12, 740 tonnes of fish have been caught. Although heavy rain and high water slowed down the harvest, production is still satisfactory," BFDC Rangamati Sub-centre Manager Commander Md Faiz Al Karim said.
He added that catches are expected to rise once water levels recede, allowing larger fish to be caught. During the same period last year, 761 tonnes were landed, earning Tk 15.7 million in landing charges.
"While overall production this year is slightly lower, the fish are smaller, resulting in reduced prices for fishermen."
Fishermen said smaller fish fetch significantly less. Those indebted to fish traders are selling at Tk 30-35 per kg, while others get Tk 70-80 per kg. In wholesale markets, the same fish sell for Tk 120-150, and in Dhaka and Chattogram they fetch Tk 150-200. Around 90 per cent of the catch so far comprises small species such as Kachki, Chapila, and Mola.
The Kaptai Lake ban on fishing, marketing, and transportation every May to July protects spawning fish and supports sustainable production.
During the ban, nearly 27,000 registered fishermen receive Vulnerable Group Feeding (VCF) assistance. Last year, the lake yielded 8,983 tonnes of fish, generating Tk 185.9 million in revenue.
The Kaptai Lake Fisheries Development and Marketing Centre manages fishing across 68,800 hectares, covering 10 upazilas of Rangamati, including Rajasthali and Kaukhali, and parts of Khagrachhari, including Dighinala and Mahalchhari. The centre primarily focuses on carp species during the current season, with an average annual production exceeding 7,000 tonnes.
Kaptai Lake, a man-made water body in south-eastern Bangladesh, was created following the construction of the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River in 1962 as part of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Project. The lake has an average depth of 30 metres (100 feet) and a maximum depth of 151 metres (495 feet), making it a crucial resource for the region's fisheries and local livelihoods.

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