Fishing Activities to Resume After Three-Month Ban
The Rangamati district administration has taken a significant step to conserve the fish population in Kaptai Lake, imposing a three-month ban on all fishing activities in the lake. The restriction, which came into effect on April 30, 2025, will be in place until July 31, 2025. The ban will not only help in preserving the fish population but also enable the lake to breed fish during this period.
- Fish from Kaptai Lake will be transported, preserved, and marketed only after May 1, 2025.
- Dried fish can be landed until 6:00 pm on May 3, 2025.
The Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati district, Mohammad Habib Ullah, has stated that the fish from Kaptai Lake are worth hundreds of crores of taka annually. This not only generates revenue for the government but also provides benefits to general fish traders and other businesses involved in the trade. The restriction will also help in generating revenue for the government and benefiting the general public through the sale of fish from Kaptai Lake. The fish population in Kaptai Lake is crucial for the livelihood of about 26,000 unemployed fishermen and their families, who depend on the lake for their survival. To ensure fish breeding in the lake, the Deputy Commissioner has urged all fish traders to refrain from fishing in the lake during the three-month ban period.
The Role of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC)
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) will play a crucial role in conserving the fish population in Kaptai Lake. The corporation will be responsible for the production and marketing of fish in the lake. During the fishing ban period, BFDC will release 50 to 60 metric tons of carp fingerlings into the lake.
- BFDC will patrol Kaptai Lake 24/7 to prevent fishing in the lake’s sanctuaries during the breeding season.
- BFDC monitoring teams will also be on patrol on the roads to prevent the smuggling of fish from Kaptai Lake.
The Commander of BFDC Rangamati, Md. Foyez Al Karim, has stated that the Coast Guard will patrol Kaptai Lake 24/7 to prevent fishing in the lake’s sanctuaries during the breeding season. He added that BFDC monitoring teams will also be on patrol on the roads to prevent the smuggling of fish from Kaptai Lake.
“During the fishing ban period, we will release 50 to 60 metric tons of carp fingerlings into the lake to ensure fish breeding,” said Commander Md. Foyez Al Karim, Manager of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Rangamati.
This initiative will help in preserving the fish population in Kaptai Lake and ensuring the sustainability of the fish trade in the region. The conservation efforts will not only benefit the local community but also contribute to the overall well-being of the nation. Key Points to Remember:
- Fishing ban imposed on Kaptai Lake until July 31, 2025.
- Transportation, preservation, and marketing of fish from Kaptai Lake will resume after May 1, 2025.
- BFDC will release 50 to 60 metric tons of carp fingerlings into the lake during the fishing ban period.
- Coast Guard will patrol Kaptai Lake 24/7 to prevent fishing in the lake’s sanctuaries during the breeding season.
Benefits of the Fishing Ban
The fishing ban imposed on Kaptai Lake will bring several benefits to the local community and the nation as a whole. Some of the key benefits include:
- The fish population in Kaptai Lake will be preserved, ensuring the sustainability of the fish trade in the region.
- The ban will generate revenue for the government and benefiting the general public through the sale of fish from Kaptai Lake.
- About 26,000 unemployed fishermen and their families will receive assistance through VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) during the fishing ban period.
Conclusion
The fishing ban imposed on Kaptai Lake is a significant step towards conserving the fish population in the lake. The restriction will help in preserving the fish population and ensuring the sustainability of the fish trade in the region. The benefits of the fishing ban will not only be felt by the local community but also contribute to the overall well-being of the nation.