Jatka netting, sale go on openly defying ban

Illegally netted jatka (hilsa less than 10 inches long) is on open sale at markets in the district, despite a countrywide government ban on its catching, carrying and sale for eight months from November to June every year.

To ensure safe breeding and development of hilsa, the authorities also declare a sanctuary for hilsa in 100 km areas on the rivers from Bheduria in Bhola to Char Rustam under Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali district, fisheries department sources said.

But a section of local fishermen defy the ban and catch jatka in different rivers including Agunmukha, Ranmabad, Tentulia, Buragourango and Paira in the district.

Even young hilsa as small as two to three inches long are netted and sent to different places including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna and others towns.

During recent visit to Panpatti and Koralia launch terminal areas on the Agunmukha River in Rangabali and Galachipa upazilas, this correspondent found over 20 large nets set in the river.

The nets, used for catching small sized hilsa, include current nets and other locally made nets like behundi jal, nadhajal, tongjal, paijal and berjal.

Rahmat Ali Khan, a fisherman of Bashbaria village under Dashmina upazila, said he catches and sell jatka during the ban period as there is no other way to maintain his family of five.

Per kg of small sized hilsa, locally called chapila, comprises over 100 fish and is selling for only Tk 80 to 100, he said.

Two to three tonnes of jatka is sold daily at Kalaia Bazar in Baufal upazila, local sources said, adding that over 100 bazars in eight upazilas of Patuakhali district see similar situations.

"How will I run my family without fishing? I am a poor landless man and I didn't get VGF (vulnerable group feeding) rice last year," said Md Hossain Mridha, a fisherman of Bogi village under Baufal upazila.

Dr Md Abul Hasanat, Patuakhali district fisheries officer, said they are trying to prevent fishermen from jatka netting but effective steps cannot be taken always due to manpower crisis.

"Despite our limitation, we are trying to include all fishermen under a food support programme during the ban period," he said.

Lt Sazzad Hossain, staff officer (Operation) of the coastguard in Patuakhali zone, said, "We regularly conduct operations, and seize jatka and nets, and arrest fishermen involved in illegal fishing."