Random fishing endangers existence of coastal fish
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Jul 11: Existence of coastal fish is under threat because of indiscriminate fishing and unchecked movement of fishing-trawlers in the Bay of Bengal.
Although there are specific guidelines regarding catching fish in the Bay, regrettably these are hardly followed by fishermen.
As a result, the local markets are facing a severe crisis of fish and those imported from neighbouring Myanmar have captured the local market.
Although it is clearly mentioned in the guidelines set by the government on the movement of trawlers in the Bay as well as the specific fishes they are allowed to catch, these are hardly followed by fishermen.
As per government directives, the fishing trawlers are not allowed to catch fish beyond 280 kilometres of area.
A total of 25 species of fish are allowed to be caught within the area, ranging from 100-metre deep sea up to the economic zone.
Although about 137 modern and government-approved fishing trawlers are catching fish in the Bay, a large number of unauthorised trawlers are also found catching fish in the Bay violating government rules..
It is alarming that the present situation has also been affecting normal movement of fishes and their breeding grounds.
It also leads to environmental pollution and enhancing of salinity in sea water.
Under the circumstances, conscious quarters have asked the government to take immediate action in this connection.
CHITTAGONG, Jul 11: Existence of coastal fish is under threat because of indiscriminate fishing and unchecked movement of fishing-trawlers in the Bay of Bengal.
Although there are specific guidelines regarding catching fish in the Bay, regrettably these are hardly followed by fishermen.
As a result, the local markets are facing a severe crisis of fish and those imported from neighbouring Myanmar have captured the local market.
Although it is clearly mentioned in the guidelines set by the government on the movement of trawlers in the Bay as well as the specific fishes they are allowed to catch, these are hardly followed by fishermen.
As per government directives, the fishing trawlers are not allowed to catch fish beyond 280 kilometres of area.
A total of 25 species of fish are allowed to be caught within the area, ranging from 100-metre deep sea up to the economic zone.
Although about 137 modern and government-approved fishing trawlers are catching fish in the Bay, a large number of unauthorised trawlers are also found catching fish in the Bay violating government rules..
It is alarming that the present situation has also been affecting normal movement of fishes and their breeding grounds.
It also leads to environmental pollution and enhancing of salinity in sea water.
Under the circumstances, conscious quarters have asked the government to take immediate action in this connection.