Coastal fishermen live in misery
Around 70,000 people of some 40 fishermen's villages along the coast stretching from Patenga to Mirer Sarai, live on fishing in the sea using smaller mechanised boats or local boats, sources said.
They contribute immensely to the national economy as their catches are around 95 per cent of the total marine fishes in the country.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The concerned circles suggest conserving areas of fishing by small fishermen, deployment of security forces at every ghat at least during the hilsha monsoon and formation of a special force in this respect.
The fishermen go for fishing in the vast sea risking their lives without radio to alert against inclement weather, compass or lighthouse to guide them and life saving medicines or drinking water.
Besides, the poor catch of fishes and lack of preservation and marketing facilities deprive them of fair prices. They also feel insecure following the onslaughts of pirates in the sea and criminals on the land.
They often fell prey to piracy. Pirates on board high-speed fishing boats in the guise of fishermen rob them of all their catches, money, nets and engines.
They buy the nets and engines with the money, mostly borrowed from local money-lenders on higher rate of interest.
Some 12,000 pieces of nets and over 100 engines worth about Tk1 crore were looted from the coastal fishermen in five years till 2003, Community Development Centre (CODEC) survey says.
Besides, pirates looted16 Bihundi nets worth around Tk1.35 lakh from three fishermen of Kumira, Golabaria and Muradpur in July last year, CODEC sources said.
Non-implementation of fishing policy, absence of specific law and lack of proper enforcement of laws are responsible for the sufferings of the fishermen, officials, NGOs and fishermen said.
As per the National Fisheries Policy '98, fishing by larger trawlers was to be declared restricted upto 40 meter depth of the sea from the coast to demarcate fishing areas for the smaller and larger fishermen.
The fisheries policy also underlined the need for insurance for the life and property of the fishermen and strict measures to check piracy.
Besides, the Fisheries Department in a strategy paper in 2003 proposed conserving 10km from the coast for the small fishermen keeping option for them to go into the sea further at the same time. It also recommended appointment of a coast guard liaison officer.
Sources in Marine Fisheries Office (MFO) here said that the rules set in the policy '98 came into effect immediately after its formulation. They said that mobile courts have been set up with the help of Coast Guard to ensure execution of the rules.
Review of the fishing policy reveals the government's goodwill for safeguarding the interest of the small fishermen, but absence of specific law and atmosphere seems to stand in the way of implementation of the policy, said CODEC official Ayesha Akter.
As per the Criminal Penal Code (CrPC) Section 392 one might be awarded 10-year imprisonment and financial penalty and Section 396 death penalty or life term imprisonment for piracy and killing.
But, nothing specific was mentioned about the executing authority or law-enforcing agency, CODEC officials said.
Fishermen said that police often refused to register case in connection with the piracy.
Meanwhile, CODEC organised a meeting to exchange views on piracy at Karitas auditorium in the city on December 27.
Representatives from different related NGOs, professional groups, local chairmen and fishermen community at the meeting called formation of special force for maintaining security in the coastal areas and fishermen.
They also urged the government to ensure accountability in issuing licenses for high-speed engine boats or trawlers, check markets for stolen fishing nets and strengthen coordination among the fishermen, local people's representatives and different law enforcing agencies.
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