United News of Bangladesh

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Saturday called for an end to the leasing system in the country’s haor (wetland) areas, saying no haor should be leased out, as these water bodies belong to the local communities and their rights must be protected. “A discriminatory system has long been maintained centring the haors. About 29 per cent of the people in haor regions still live below the poverty line,” she said at a discussion titled ‘Government Jolmohal Management Policy 2009: Inequality and Mismanagement in the Haor Region’ held at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka. Farida said different ministries currently control various haors, with most areas placed under the jurisdiction of the land ministry, which only focuses on collecting revenue through leasing out the water bodies. Citing an example of mismanagement, she said an ‘all-weather road’ built in Mithamain of Kishoreganj has already caused significant damage to the surrounding environment. The fisheries adviser also expressed concerns over illegal fishing methods, saying, “We have already banned current nets for fishing, but now a new type called ‘China-duari’ is being used. These must also be prohibited.” Past internet shutdowns seriously hampered investment: Faiz Taiyeb She stressed the importance of declaring certain haor areas as sanctuaries to help protect endangered fish species. “Biological management will be a key step towards saving the haors,” she added. Presided over by Rasheda K Choudhury, convener of Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra (DHORA), the event was also addressed by Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, and former secretary and ex-chairman of the National River Conservation Commission Dr Mujibur Rahman Howlader.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Monday emphasised the importance of protecting fish resources, saying that exporting fish can contribute to foreign currency earnings. The adviser stressed that Bangladesh has gained international recognition for its fish, especially hilsa. "No other country produces hilsa like Bangladesh, and even if they do, the taste does not compare to ours," she said while visiting the Dakkhin Char Goalini Ideal Fishing Village in Monpura upazila of Bhola and holding a discussion with local fishermen. Addressing the fishing community, she highlighted that expatriates play a significant role in strengthening the economy through remittances, and similarly, fishermen can contribute by ensuring sustainable fish production and exports. She explained that restrictions are imposed during the breeding season to allow fish to spawn and grow naturally. While fishermen generally comply, some traders violate these regulations by encouraging fishing during the ban period. To prevent such illegal activities, the Coast Guard and the River Police are actively working, she noted. Restoring rivers challenging but possible: Adviser Rizwana Addressing Monpura’s fishermen, she said, "If we work together, we can bring about positive change. Fisheries officials regularly discuss your challenges and opportunities, even in Dhaka. However, hearing directly from you is different, which is why I am here today." The adviser also emphasised that merely issuing cyclone warnings is not enough; it is the government’s duty to protect fishermen. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will distribute life jackets, lifebuoys, and torchlights to ensure their safety, she added. She urged the fishing community to diversify their livelihoods by engaging in agriculture, poultry, and livestock farming to achieve greater financial stability. When the fishermen raised concerns about the lack of cyclone shelters, tube wells, schools, and poor road conditions in Monpura, the adviser assured them that she would convey these issues to the relevant ministries. Recognising that both human-induced and natural disasters pose significant challenges to fishermen, she said, “To deal with natural disasters, the suffering of fishermen will be alleviated by digging canals,” instructing the local administration to reduce the violence of robbers in the river and sea. Later, the adviser distributed life jackets, lifebuoys, and torchlights among 80 fishermen.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Monday said the restriction on fishing in the Bay of Bengal will now be for 58 days instead of the previous 65 days. “This year the ban will be shortened to 58 days from April 15 to June 11, the adviser said while speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday. Govt to export 11,000 tonnes of hilsa to KSA, UAE She said that the ban on fishing all types of fish, shrimp, crab, lobster and other crustaceans was initially imposed to increase the production of Hilsa and other fish species in the Bay of Bengal. The 65-day ban which had been in place for many years resulted in a record increase of 12.78% in marine fishery resources, she said. Due to a lack of coordination with neighboring countries during the ban period fishermen from those countries have been taking advantage of Bangladesh’s fish harvest, said the adviser. Fishing organisations and fishermen demanded a more coordinated approach to the ban period, she added. “Following their demand, a technical committee was formed, consisting of experts from the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, and other stakeholders. Meat, eggs and milk to be sold at affordable prices at 25 spots The committee decided to impose a 58-day fishing ban from April 15 to June 11, as this is the breeding period for most commercially important fish in the Bay of Bengal.” Besides, discussions are underway regarding a proposal to impose a fishing ban for 20 days, or up to a month in the Haor region from May 15 to June 14, in order to preserve local fish stocks, added the adviser.