Fishermen demand easing curbs on fishing in Bay

Sea fishermen have urged the government to relax the restriction on trawling in the deep waters of the Bay of Bengal to help them recoup losses in sales inflicted by the ongoing shutdown caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

They demanded the government reduce the fishing ban period: it can begin from May 1 and go on until June 15 instead of May 20 to July 23, according to a letter sent by the Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Association (BMFA) to the fisheries and livestock ministry last week.

The request comes as many of 231 trawlers are sitting idle in the face of poor sales of marine fishes in the domestic market and problems of exports as the deadly coronavirus has led to a stunning collapse of the global economy.

"White fishes breed throughout the year and there would be no effect on fish resources if the government slaps the ban early for the current year," the BMFA said.

The government first imposed the 62-day ban on fishing in the waters of the bay in 2015 to ensure proper breeding. 

"This is a major time for breeding," said Md Latifur Rahman, director for marine of the fisheries department.

The government decided on the ban based on opinions of different stakeholders and experts in the sector, he said, adding that views of all stakeholders are needed to reduce the ban period or bring it forward.

Deep sea fishing operators are not the only group that catch fishes there.

More than 60,000 fishing boats involving about 4 lakh fishermen are engaged in fishing in the coastal regions and they account for 85 per cent of the total marine catch.

Their views also need to be considered, Rahman said.

"We also have the month of Ramadan and a ban on fishing may affect protein supply in the domestic market," he said, adding that his office shared his views with the higher authorities in this regard.

Fish caught from marine water accounted for 15 per cent of the total fish of 42.76 lakh tonnes produced in fiscal year 2017-18, according to the DoF.

Marine catches rose 2.66 per cent year-on-year to 6.55 lakh tonnes in fiscal 2017-18.