The local administration has imposed a three-month ban on netting, marketing and transportation of fish from Kaptai Lake from May 1.  The decision was taken on Monday (April 26, 2021) at the office of Deputy Commissioner  to help breeding and rejuvenate fish stocks in the freshwater lake.  Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mizanur Rahman presided over the meeting while BFDC Manager Touhidul Islam, additional deputy commissioner Shilpi Rani Roy, District Fisheries Officer Sribash Chandra, among others, were present at the meeting. Also read: 30-ton fish fry to be released in Kaptai Lake: BFDC The ban was imposed to ensure natural breeding of carp fish, said Mizanur Rahman.  Some 22,250 people who depend on fishing in the district will get food assistance during the ban period through a special VGF Card.  Every year, the government imposes a three-month ban on fishing, marketing and transportation of fish from Kaptai Lake aiming to  ensure natural breeding of fish.  River police will be deployed to check illegal fishing, marketing and transportation through mobile court. Also read: Fishing resumes in Kaptai Lake after 90-day ban  The Deputy Commissioner also urged all to refrain from fishing as legal action will be taken in case of violation of the order.

The ‘Marine Fisheries Bill, 2020’ was passed in Parliament on Monday with a provision for maximum three-year imprisonment or Tk 5 crore fine or both for fishing illegally within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary by any foreign national.

Forest department officials detained three fishermen from the Sundarbans in Harbaria area of Mongla upazila for catching fish illegally from a canal using insecticides on Saturday night.

A bill titled the “Marine Fisheries Bill, 2020” having a provision to award maximum three years of imprisonment or Tk five crore fine or both for fishing in Bangladesh’s marine boundary illegally by any foreign national was placed in Parliament on Wednesday.

Members of Bangladesh Navy have detained 26 Indian fishermen along with two fishing boats from the Fairway Buoy area of the Bay of Bengal for illegally fishing inside the Bangladesh water territory.