Current nets pose threat to indigenous species of fish in Sylhet

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Sylhet Correspondent :
Rampant fishing with current nets has threated indigenous species fish production in small, middle and big water bodies of Sylhet district from last few years.
Fisheries Department (FD) said, from the genesis of Jaistha to last week of Srabon local fishers traditionally anticipate an abundance of fish as miniature steams, ponds and canals as well as river overflow with water. But now-a-days, due to the indiscriminate use of current nets, native fish stocks are in the way of serious declining, FD added.
Since, the paddy fields and lowlands of all 13 upazilas of the district turn into suitable place for the fishes with heavy rain water or upstream, many indigenous fish species are rewarded with the perfect habitat in which to breed and thrive.
But the most wanted tasteful indigenous variety is being caught with current net by dishonest fishermen.
Two decades back the miniature steams, ponds and canals as well as river was full with different fishes but now there are hardly fish to find in the water body as well as market, said A fisheries researcher.
Previously the fishermen used traditional nets only deployed for short periods of time. Now people are more desperate to achieve a good catch. They set up current nets on a semi-permanent basis, said a conscious man Shahin ahmed under Dakshin surma upazila.
He again said, indeed thousands of fine-mesh current nets which can trap even the smallest fish are these days affixed in water bodies across the district.
“I along with my four family members live on catching indigenous fish round the year.” said Hossain, at Kuchai viilage under Dakshin surma upazila. He also said, “Now I have to sell other fish too as indigenous species aren’t plentiful.”
Sylhet District fisheries office informs the correspondent the monsoon months are the breeding season for many fish species. These fish rely on small canals and temporary water bodies to complete the breeding cycle. When mother fish and fries are trapped in the fine-mesh current nets the cycle is disrupted, with the number of fish drastically reduced, office added.
Mobile courts can prevent the use of current nets, hope local people.
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