A joint force seized 1,010,800 metres of illegal monofilament fishing nets worth an estimated Tk 30.324 million in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday and later burned them.
Officials conducted the drive at shops in Lama Bazar, Teknaf municipality, from 2:00 pm to 8:00pm on October 24. The team took the seized nets to the bank of Kayukkhali Canal and burned them.
Members of the upazila administration, Border Guard Bangladesh’s Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), the upazila fisheries department, Teknaf Model Police Station and Teknaf River Police outpost took part in the operation.
Officials involved in the drive said monofilament nets had long been entering Teknaf through various illegal routes from Myanmar and were subsequently sold in local shops. The nets were also allegedly being used for fishing in the Bay of Bengal and the Naf River.
Because the nets are extremely fine, they trap fish fry, fish of different sizes, shrimp, and other aquatic animals. This disrupts breeding and reproduction, raising concerns about declining fish stocks in rivers and the sea.
Calls for stronger raids at fishing ghats
The seizure of a large quantity of nets in Lama Bazar has prompted renewed calls for stronger enforcement at fishing landing points and on boats.
Residents alleged that fishing boats at Kayukkhali Ghat, Naittyangpara, Maheshkhaliyapara, Tulatali, Lombori, Rajarchhara, Habibchhara and Mithapanichhara in Teknaf municipality were storing or using the banned nets.
Similar allegations were made in Shah Porir Dwip, including Mistripara, Gholachar, Paschimpara, Sadirpara, and Dakshinpara.
Residents also alleged that fishing boats at Noakhaliapara, Shilkhali, Baro Dail, Kachchhapia and Mathabhanga in Baharchhara union, as well as Katabunia, Baharchhara, Khurer Muk and Mundar Dail in Sabrang union, were using the nets.
Local fishers said raids on markets and shops were important but would not be enough to stop their use. They called for regular inspections of fishing boats operating in the sea and the Naf River, legal action against those found storing or using the nets, and tougher measures against suppliers, sellers and users.
Mohammad Atikur Haque, inspector and in-charge of the Teknaf River Police outpost, said joint operations were continuing. Authorities would check fishing boats at all landing points in Teknaf for the banned nets and take action if any were found, he added.
Mohammad Jaharul Haque, assistant upazila fisheries officer, said executive magistrates would lead mobile courts to take legal action against illegal monofilament nets.
Officials present during the operation included Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commander of Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB); Major Mubashshir Nakib Tarafdar, its deputy commander; Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Anik Chowdhury; Inspector Mohammad Atikur Haque; and Assistant Fisheries Officer Mohammad Jaharul Haque.
Officials said operations would continue to protect fisheries resources, conserve fish fry and prevent the use of illegal monofilament nets. Legal action would also be taken against those involved in their illegal import, storage, sale, and use.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
