The government imposed a ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal for 58 days from April 15 to June 11. Around 800,000 fishermen are engaged in sea fishing and their families will suffer due to the ban.
Our Correspondent from Cox's Bazar reports: Apr 15: The 58-day government ban on fishing in the sea off the coast of Cox's Bazar has created extreme anxiety and uncertainty for the fishermen about how to make a daily living to maintain families.
On the one hand, the scarcity of fish in the sea, and on the other hand, the long-term fuel crisis, has caused thousands of fishermen to worry about their livelihood.
In the meantime, the ban has officially come into effect since midnight on Tuesday.
A visit to Jetty No. 6 on the bank of the Bankkhali River in Cox's Bazar town showed trawlers anchored in rows.
Most fishermen returned from the sea before the ban began. Many said that they had to return empty-handed after not catching the expected fish despite staying at sea for several days.
Fisherman Rabiul Hussain said he has not been able to go to sea properly for the past month due to the fuel crisis. Now that the ban has started again, it will become difficult for him to run the family.
Another fisherman, Rahim Ullah, said, "I bought nets and oil on credit. I am now in debt because I have not caught any fish. I do not know how I will manage my family in the future."
Trawler owner Abdur Rahman complained, "The amount of government assistance provided is very less than what is needed. If the ban had been postponed a little, we could have at least recovered some of the losses." Fish trader Saiful Islam said, "Uncontrolled trawling is mainly responsible for the decline in fish in the sea. On top of that, it has not been possible to go to the deep sea due to the fuel crisis. We have faced huge losses."
Delwar Hossain, general secretary of the Cox's Bazar District Fishing Boat Owners' Association, said fishermen would have gotten some relief if the ban had been implemented for 45 days from June 1 every year. We have conveyed this demand to the government."
According to those concerned, if adequate support is not ensured for fishermen in implementing this long-term ban, the humanitarian crisis in the coastal areas may further increase. Cox's Bazar District Fisheries Officer Nazmul Huda said, "The ban has been implemented as per the high-level decision of the government. Food aid distribution has already started among the 64,023 registered fishermen in the district."
He added, "Many fishermen in Cox's Bazar are still unregistered. Their registration work is ongoing. Everyone will be brought under the assistance in phases. In addition, if the fishermen's demands are received in writing, it will be sent to the ministry."
Our Correspondent from Chittagong adds: According to the Department of Fisheries, the ban on engine boats will be continued as announced. It also said fish stock will increase as the ban is on effect during the breeding period of fishes and every fisherman will get 25 kgs of rice.
A taskforce will conduct drives round the clock to check violation of the ban while mobile court will be operated as well.
Officials concerned also hoped that the implementation of the programme will play a role in increasing fish production.
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