Impose ban, save mother crabs in coastal areas
Random crab catching in the coastal areas poses threat to the species and consequently, ecological balance in the region.
In absence of any ban on catching the creatures even during the ongoing breeding season, a large number of mother crabs are being netted, much to the worry of environmentalists and experts.
They urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to protect the creature, in view of its economic as well as ecological value.
Crabs lay eggs in the mangrove forest areas at a large scale in the breeding period comprising January and February.
But they fall easy prey to hunting as a section of fishermen, especially those passing hard days due to poor netting of fishes during this time, engage in crab catching.
There is a government ban on catching jatka (hilsa fry) for seven months from October 15 to May 15 every year across the country and during the time fishermen get involved in catching and sale of crabs in vast coastal areas including Patuakhali, Barguna, Bagerhat and Khulna districts, said locals.
Poachers catch crabs with the help of current nets, traps, behundee nets etc, especially when they come to the forest areas to lay eggs. One can catch 3/4 kg crabs a day and per kg crab is selling for Tk 500 to 700.
"I am catching crab here for a month and I can catch 3/4 kg daily from morning to sunset. We sell it in the local shops that are set up to especially buy crabs in the season. We don't know that crab hunting is harmful to the environment," said Umachin Rakhain of Fatrarban area near Kuakata sea beach.
"Like me, many local fishermen are engaged in the business, as there is no opportunity to catch jatka from October to May," he added.
"A good number of fishermen run their family by selling crabs. We prefer catching mother crabs as it sells for high prices," said Abdul Mannan of Khajura village.
Crab wholesaler Golam Mostafa Matubbar said they buy crabs from local poachers in the season when crabs are available in the areas.
"We send crabs to Dhaka and from there it is exported to different countries. Over 50 temporary shops have been set up to buy crabs from local poachers this year," he said.
Dr Khondokar Anisul Haque, a crab expert and professor of Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Faculty of Khulna University, said, "Crabs help maintain ecological balance as it is used as food for different species of animals in the mangrove forest areas. It has also high demand as an export item but its cultivation and research has not been given due importance."
"Huge mother crabs come to mangrove forest areas to lay eggs in January and February -- the reproductive season of the crabs. The government should impose ban on catching crabs during this time to protect it from gradual depletion," he added.
Dr Wahiduzzaman, acting regional director of fisheries department in Barisal, said mangrove forest area is proper place for reproduction of crabs in the season.
According to a special law, crab poaching is prohibited only in the Sundarbans area but in absence of such law for other parts of the country including the coastal areas, a section of people are engaged in random catching of the valuable creature, he said.
He urged the higher authorities to take immediate steps in this regard.
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