Fishing with current nets goes unabated

People of different villages in Kulaura upazila of the district alleged that use of illegal 'current net' is destroying the small fish fries in Anfanai river.  They said the illegal netting of fish fry is rampant in the river.

However, local fishermen said they are catching fish using current net as they had no alternative.

Social worker Sabur Bauri, a resident of Bherkuri area in the upazila, said they repeatedly requested the local fishermen not to catch fishes in their locality but they did not pay any heed to their appeal.

Like many other fishermen in the area, Emon, Mukta and Nipu said if the fishing with current net continues unabated the variety of the local fish species in the river will be destroyed.

Monohar Mia, 45, of Bhuksimul village, said the Anfanai is one of the biggest sources for several species of sweet water fish and fish fries.

Most of the poor people, living along the river, depend on catching fish in the river, he added.

Earlier, a mobile court seized 2000 metres of illegal current net from different areas along the river on Monday.

The court led by Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahsina Begum raided the areas around 5:00pm and seized the nets.

The seized nets were later burnt on the spot, said Upazila Fisheries Officer Sultan Mahmud.