Policy for coastal fishermen underscored
Experts said formulation of a policy is needed for 25 lakh coastal fishermen as they contribute to around 90 per cent of the total catch.
Adequate guidelines for fishing crafts and fishing methods are also required to ensure their safety during the fishing in the bay, they said.
At the same time the policy should be followed strictly to improve their livelihood, the experts added.
The fishermen use over 35,000 fishing crafts, including around 18,000 non-mechanised boats in the fishing, sources said, adding that in absence of rules and regulations for manufacturing, maintenance and repair the fishing crafts put their lives at risk.
A report prepared by Engineer and Surveyor Sirajul Islam of the Mercantile Marine Department said of the fishing crafts, some 7000 trawlers have registration while only some 1500 boats turn up for annual survey.
Besides, lack of awareness and absence of a modern system of reporting and analysis of incidents at sea have raised the risk of serious accidents for fishermen and fishing crafts, sources said.
Fisheries Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman said at a workshop titled “Safety at Sea for Small-scale Fisheries” in the port city on Monday very little efforts have been taken for improving the livelihood of the poor fishing community so far. In addition to, no mechanism is there to warn the fishermen against danger taking lives frequently, he said.
He also underscored the need for framing guidelines for the development of the potential sector.
He asked Md Sanaullah, director (Marine) of Department of Fisheries (DoF), for taking an initiative to facilitate the coastal fishing community to form organisations or associations to help themselves.
While talking to the Daily Star, DoF Director General Mokkamel Hossain said the DoE carried out some empowerment of coastal fishing community (ECFC) programmes in the past in this regard. He said but no follow-up project or programme has been taken since long to put the outcome and achievement of the ECFC in use.
He said besides, no survey has been conducted on 1.40 lakh square km areas identified as the “Exclusive Economic Zone” in the Bay of Bengal for long.
Anarkali Jaladash, leader of a coastal fishing community organisation, said for lack of mechanism the fishermen can't predict the coming danger and fell victim to natural calamities very often.
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