Jatka Protection Programme
65pc of jobless fishermen deprived of food support
The programme to support poor and jobless fishermen during the seven-month yearly ban on catching jatka seems too inadequate as 65 percent of 2.10 lakh fishermen in coastal districts Patuakhali, Barguna and Bhola are outside its coverage.
The support under VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) programme is given to the fishermen for four months from February to May although the ban under the government's Jatka Protection Programme extends for seven months from November to May.
Besides, this help, which is 30 kg of rice a month for a fisherman's family, is too scanty considering their overall need, said the fishermen.
The Department of Fisheries banned fishing of jatka (young hilsa under nine inches long) for seven months of the year from November to May, according to a source in Patuakhali district fisheries office (DFO).
Around 2.10 lakh hilsa fishermen, including 41,000 in Patuakhali, 29,541 in Barguna and 1,40,000 in Bhola district become jobless during the ban period.
Of them, 21,504 in Patuakhali district, 11,682 fishermen in Barguna district, and 40,372 fishermen in Bhola district are getting support under the VGF programme this year, said sources of district fisheries offices.
The remaining 1,35,983 or 64.89 percent fishermen are outside the programme.
Under the VGF programme that began in 2009-2010 fiscal year, each listed fisherman is getting 30 kg of rice a month, said Faruq Ahmed, survey officer for Patuakhali district fisheries office.
A total 8,826.96 tonnes of rice has been allocated for the three districts under the programme this season, sources said.
Popular fish hilsa also serves as a good foreign exchange earner every year.
In 11 months (till May, 2011) in 2010-2011 fiscal year, the country earned Tk 334 crore by exporting 8321 tonnes of hilsa, said ABM Zahid Habib, project director of Jatka Protection, Alternative Job for Fishermen and Research Project, under the Department of Fisheries in Dhaka.
Authorities' initiative to protect jatka is helping to increase hilsa production in the country.
Following strictness in imposition of the ban on catching jatka, the country got additional 5.96 lakh tonnes of hilsa worth Tk 14,900 crore (per kg Tk 250 rate), in last seven years, Zahid Habib said.
But the government help for the hilsa fishermen during the ban period is too inadequate, said several fishermen.
"During the ban period, we pass hard days with our family members as the government help, 30 kg of rice a month, is too small for a fisherman's family. Sufferings of those who are outside the programme is even more," said Abdul Mannan, a fisherman of Auliapur village under Sadar upazila.
Md Faruq Hossain, District Fisheries survey Officer, said, "All fishermen involved with hilsa fishing should be brought under the VGF programme and if possible, provided with alternative job during the ban period to discourage jatka catching. The country will get large sizes of hilsa in the season that will bring foreign currencies.
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