Kaptai Lake
Increase in fishing charges protested
Fish traders, fishermen and workers organised a protest rally on the premises of Rangamati deputy commissioner's office yesterday demanding immediate cancellation of increased government charges for fishing in Kaptai Lake.
The fishermen and traders, who stopped fishing in the lake and its trade since imposition of the increased charge by Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) on September 1, also sent a memorandum to the fisheries and livestock minister through the deputy commissioner in this regard.
If implemented, the increased charges may compel fishermen to leave the profession and it will affect fish traders and workers as well, said speakers at the rally.
Earlier the BFDC authorities used to consult fishermen and fish traders before raising charges on different categories of fishes but this time it was nor done, they said.
Md Harunur Rashid, president of Kaptai Lake Matsya Babosayee Samobay Samity, spoke at the rally, among others.
As per new rates, charge for ruhi, katal, mohashole and chital (jatimash) weighing over a kg each is Tk 35 per kg (earlier rate was Tk 25), for carp fishes it is Tk 20 (earlier rate Tk 14), for koi, shing, magur, pabda, bancha and tengra Tk 28 (earlier rate Tk 20), for small fishes like kanchki, chapila, mola Tk 12 (earlier rate Tk 8) and for cannibal fishes Tk 25 (earlier rate Tk 17).
Contacted, Commander Zahirul Alim, project manager of BFDC, Rangamati, said, "Prices of fishes are increasing day by day. The royalty rate was increased during the last caretaker government for three-year period, and then there was decision to increase it after termination of the specific time. As the government does not provide fund for our officials and staffs and for management of the lake, we have to increase royalty."
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