They also underscored the need for ensuring alternative income of the fishermen so that they could run their families even if they could not catch fish.
The seminar titled ’65-day ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal: Impact on the coastal fishermen' was jointly organised by COAST Trust and Bangladesh Fish Workers’ Alliance at the Cirdap Auditorium in the city with the assistance of Manusher Jonno Foundation and Danish Institute for Human Rights.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru was present as the chief guest and Director General (DG) of the Fisheries Department Abu Sayed Md Rashedul Haque as a special guest at the seminar moderated by Executive Director of COAST Trust Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonnon Foundation, and Dr Md Abu Hassanat, Director (Marine Fisheries), were present as special speakers while Md Mujibul Haque Munir, Assistant Director of COAST Trust, presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
In his keynote paper, Munir said the ban on catching fish has increased the production of Hilsa. However, many fishermen who are marginalised have to struggle to run their families since they have no or very limited alternative income, he said.
The government is providing 40 kgs of rice per month to about 4 lakh registered fishermen, but many fishermen are still out of registration. Instead of rice, cash financial support can be more effective, he added.
Cox's Bazar Fisheries Workers Alliance leader Mizanur Rahman Bahadur said, "We welcome ban on fishing activities to increase the wealth of the country, but poor fishermen families need to be provided with cash assistance properly to run their families."
Bhola Trawler Owners Association President Nurul Islam said, "Even if we comply with the ban, Indian fishermen are coming to our area during the ban period and catching a lot of Hilsha. Therefore, the ban period must be determined considering same period of neighboring countries, he said.
Barguna Fisheries Worker's Representative SM Zakir Hossain said many people got fishermen cards despite not being real fishermen. “Fisher cards must be provided to the actual fishermen,” he added.
Dr Abu Hassanat said all have to come forward to get the benefit of a huge sea victory. “Bangladesh is getting the benefits of ban in the protection of Hilsa. The government is working on how to make this ban more successful by involving marginal fishermen,” he added.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said vocational education programmes for the children of the fishermen are a much needed. “It’ll open the door to alternative income and employment.”
Fisheries Minister Md Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru said although the production of Hilsa in many countries of the world is decreasing, it is increasing in Bangladesh. “To increase this production, we have to keep the Bay of Bengal safe and free of pollution. The sea is being polluted due to about 60,000 ships operating in the sea. This is a major threat to our fisheries.”