United News of Bangladesh

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has said that the government will regulate the size and threads of current nets used in fishing. Speaking at a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Munshiganj on Tuesday, she emphasised that fisheries officials would have enhanced authority to address the issue, with consultations involving experts from the Department of Fisheries to determine the appropriate size and specifications for the nets. "Current nets are harmful because there is no control over their size. We will collaborate with experts to set the guidelines for these nets," she said. The adviser also highlighted the role of local factories in Munshiganj, which manufacture current nets. She pointed out that the nets produced by these factories have sizes that trap all types of fish, exacerbating the problem. Mongla Port Development: Work on Pashur Channel Dredging begins "We have received consistent reports about this issue and several raids have been conducted at different factories. Many nets have been seized and it is evident that the net traders and factory owners are also involved in this matter," she added. While addressing the technical aspects, she said, "This issue requires a technical approach, not just raids. The nets must be designed to capture specific types of fish and we will provide clear instructions on the proper size, the material to be used and the manufacturing process." After the meeting, the adviser inaugurated two exhibitions at the District Commissioner's office.

Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) seized contraband current nets worth Tk 105 Crore from Chawkbazar area in the city on Sunday.  Lieutenant Commander Khandaker Munif Taki, a media officer at the BCG headquarters, confirmed the development on Monday afternoon.  He said that BCG Station at Pagla under the BCG Dhaka Zone conducted special simultaneous drives at Chak Mugultoli Al Sahani Market, adjacent to Chawkbazar, from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Sunday.  During the operation led by Station Commander Lieutenant Shams Sadekin, the law enforcers seized 3.50 crore meter banned new current nets worth around Tk 105 crore from two godowns of the said market.  READ: Illegal current nets seized by Coast Guard in N’ganj Dhaka District Fisheries Officer Mostafa Kamal, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Keraniganj, Dhaka, Md. Selim Reza and Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of Deputy Commissioner's Office, Dhaka, Babli Shabnam were present during the drives.  He further said that the seized current nets were destroyed and set on fire in the presence of Executive Magistrate of Dhaka District Fisheries Officer, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer and Station Commander Pagla.