Cox’s Bazar Correspondent :
Hilsha fish is well-known for its great stature and edible taste not only in Bangladesh but in foreign countries also. As a result, foreign fishers with powerful trawlers are stealing hilsa fish from the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh territory, without any hindrance.
Although, in recent times, Bangladesh Navy caught three trawlers with 42 Indian and 20 Sri Lankan fishermen, it has not been enough to stop stealing the fish.
Siddique Ahmed, a fisherman of Jafar Alam Sawdagar’s trawler of Majhirghat, Cox’s Bazar said during 11 days of the ban period some foreign trawlers were seen catching hilsa fish unhindered near the fairway buoy in the Bay. He expressed his dissatisfaction over this unlawful catch of hilsa and other fishes by the foreign intruders.
Trawler owner Joynal Abedin Sawdagar said that foreign fishers sometimes even shoot at them if they try to catch fish side by side, causing them to retreat. Mentioning an incident of October 17 last, he said his trawler had to compete with 4-5 Indian boats.
If any trawler enters Indian, Sri Lankan and Myanmar territories, they often face legal procedures by the authorities of the countries. Abdul Khaleq, general secretary of District Boat Owners’ Association admitted the fact and said that Bangladesh Navy, sometimes detained foreign trawlers on charges of illegal intrusion and catches of fishes, but the steps of the Navy, Coast Guard and other law-enforcing agencies are not sufficient for stopping these illegal attempts.
“Very soon, we’ll arrange a meeting with the authority concerned to solve this crisis,” he added.
He, however, urged the authority concerned to save the aquatic assets as well as the beneficiaries surviving on these assets.
