Fry catching depletes shrimp production in Barguna

Indiscriminate catching of fires is causing a sharp depletion of
shrimp and other fish resources in the rivers of the coastal Barguna
district.
Some unscrupulous fishermen are continuing the mindless netting of
fries of several species of fish, including shrimp.  This is being
done in the Bay of Bengal to the south of the district, on the west of
which is flowing the river Bishkhali and on the east the river Payra.
During tide, huge amount of lobster, prawn and different other fish
species are carried by the sea into the two rivers.  Local fishermen
are catching these fries from the rivers by using mosquito nets out of
their unawareness of the harm.
The quantity of fries the fishermen net from there will be worth
several lakhs of taka.
The Fisheries Department is apprehending that if the practice
continues unhindered this way, different species of fish will
disappear from the rivers and water bodies of the coastal region.
While visiting the area, a large number of women and children were
found catching fries of lobster and prawn on the banks of the
Bishkhali, Baleswar and Payra rivers.
Their activities has put the existence of 38 species of fish under
threat.  Fish farm owners are buying these fries at cheaper price
without any restrictions.
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute conducted a study on the
rivers and canals in the offshore areas from 1991-97 under the name of
Survey and Assistance of Shrimp Fry Resources of Bangladesh.
According to the study, fry collectors are causing harm to 38 species
of prawn and six other fishes and 100 species of aquatic animals while
catching lobster and prawn fries.
It was found that in one single drive innumerable fries of tengra, poa
and taposhi were caught with seven or eight fries of prawn. There are
147 hatcheries of prawn in the country. These hatcheries produce one
thousand crore fries each year.
The annual demand of fries in the country is three thousand crore.
Experts said the deficit could be met by increasing the number of
authorised hatcheries and it will protect different species of fish.
Barguna assistant fishery official Ruhul Amin said netting fries from
the rivers is officially restricted.
The fishery department has strengthened its activities to stop
collection and netting of prawn fries, he added.
Legal actions are needed alongside mass awareness to stop such
mindless catching of fries, he noted. -UNB, Barguna

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