Hilsa netting on despite ban

Many fishers in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna are netting hilsa in the Padma river despite the ongoing 22-day ban, enforced from October 7.

The government enforced the ban on netting, selling and transporting hilsa from October 7-29 to protect the mother fish till spawning.

During the period, no fisherman is allowed to catch fish where there is movement of hilsa.

However, hundreds of fishing boats are sailing the Padma river every evening. The fishers claim they are doing so since many of them are yet to receive any government food assistance.

While  taking a boat ride in the Padma river at Sujanagar upazila on Sunday evening, this correspondent estimated at least 200 fishing boats moving in the river for netting hilsa, evading the eyes of the local administration.

"Most of us have a huge loan burden... so we must catch hilsa. Our hands are tied," said fisher Nurul Khan.

When asked about getting food aid, he claimed that not a single fishermen received any such assistance.

"Last year, we got 15kg of rice right  at the end of the three-week ban. We are yet to receive any support this time, although 10 days have passed since the ban."

We have no food at home. How can we survive if we don’t net hilsa? Besides, most of us have a huge loan burden. Our hands are tied. Fisher Nurul Khan

"We have no food at home. How can we survive if we don't net hilsa?" Nurul asked.

Echoing the same, fisher Shukur Ali  said he has no savings left and cannot carry on for a single day without venturing into the river.

"Every year we receive some sort of help  from the government. But this year, we have received nothing so far," he added.

Contacted, Sujanagar upazila fishery officer said there are over 4,000 fishermen in Sujanagar upazila. Of them, 1,250 are listed for food support this year, as they net hilsa from the Padma. "Each of the listed fishermen will get 25kg of rice as food support during the ban," he said.

He, however, said the distribution of food assistance might be delayed in some places as the UP chairmen, responsible for the act, are busy with the ongoing Zilla Parishad elections.

"Every fisher will get support after the conclusion of the polls," he added.

Upazila Fishery Officer Nur Kazmi said separate teams are continuing drives in the river to enforce the 22-day ban.

Three fishers have already been punished and fishing nets have been destroyed in the last 10 days, he added.

"When our team reaches one point of the river, fishers run away with their engine boat to another area. We have no speed boat or hi-speed water transport. Besides, we don't get enough help from the law enforcers," he alleged.

Meanwhile, some traders are also  selling hilsa at night,

 Delwar Hossain Jhontu, a fish wholesale shop of Satbaria market, said there was not enough fish available at the market last week due to the ban.

"Some traders are secretly  selling hilsa during night, although the number is very less due to the ongoing ban," said local fish trader  Delwar Hossain Jhontu.