This photo shows fishermen in Raipur Upazila of Lakshmipur netting ’jatka’ from the Meghna River defying government ban. Photo: Messenger
Illegal fishing of immature Hilsha, known as 'jatka', has reached alarming levels in Raipur Upazila of Lakshmipur.
Despite concerted efforts by the Naval Police, Department of Fisheries, and Coast Guard to curb jatka hunting in various areas near the Meghna River, local fishermen continue to openly flout the ban, evading authorities involved in anti-jatka campaigns.
This illicit activity results in the daily sale of tons of jatkas along the banks of the Meghna, raising concerns about the future production of Hilsha.
Local residents have complained that since news of the enforcement operations leaked, fishermen have devised methods to avoid detection. Even police patrols in areas like Hajimara and Haydganj have been ineffective in curbing the illegal activity, as fishermen brazenly transport jatkas to the city in broad daylight. The lack of awareness among fishermen and buyers perpetuates the cycle of jatka hunting, jeopardizing the availability of mature Hilsha weighing 700 to 900 grams in the coming months.
According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, all forms of Hilsha harvesting are strictly prohibited within a 100 km radius of the Meghna River, including Raipur, for two months from March 1 to April. This ban extends to hunting, transportation, sale, and any form of processing of Hilsha or jatka. Despite these regulations, sightings of fishermen fleeing with their catch of jatkas have been reported in various locations along the Meghna, including Hajimara, Saijuddin Mollar Ghat, Puran Beri Matha, and Master Ghat.
The clandestine methods employed by fishermen, such as setting nets in the middle of the river with plastic bottles marking their positions, make it challenging for authorities to detect and dismantle these illegal operations. Fishermen justify their actions by citing economic hardship, claiming that government assistance in the form of 40 kg of rice is insufficient to support their families, compelling them to resort to illegal jatka hunting, which fetches higher prices in the market.
Mostofa Byaperi, President of the Raipur Upazila Fisherman Association, highlights the discrepancy between official reports of record Hilsha production and the observed scarcity of mature Hilsha in recent years. He attributes this to the unchecked proliferation of jatka fishing, with hundreds of fishermen contributing to the problem.
Principal Mamunur Rashid, the Upazila Chairman, emphasizes the urgent need to halt the rampant jatka hunting to safeguard future Hilsha production and preserve the integrity of Hilsha protection programs. He calls for intensified efforts to combat jatka poaching and stresses the importance of taking action against those responsible for leaking information about enforcement operations.
Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, Upazila Fisheries Officer Emdadul Haque reports seizures of large quantities of jatkas and current nets in raids conducted in the upazila. However, he acknowledges that some persistent fishermen continue to engage in illegal activities, necessitating continued vigilance and enforcement measures.
Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Monira Khatun pledges to increase surveillance to protect jatkas and calls for greater awareness among fishermen and buyers regarding the consequences of jatka hunting. She also urges socio-political leaders to actively contribute to efforts to combat illegal fishing practices.
Messenger/Faria
