Random fry netting on in 3 coastal districts

A section of fishermen in Patuakhali, Barguna and Bhola districts are engaged in catching fry in different rivers, canals and waters in the Bay, posing threat to different species of fish.

About 250 crore prawn fry and about 100 crore lobster fry are needed every year in different ghers (enclosures for fish farming) in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira areas, said sources at Patuakhali district fisheries office.

Of it, 95 percent prawn fry and 20 percent lobster fry are collected from rivers, canals and the Bay near the coast while the rest are collected from hatcheries, they said.

Around two crore fry is daily sent from Patuakhali, Barguna and Bhola to Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts, fry traders said.

Peak season for collecting lobster fry is from January to March and prawn fry from March to June.

During a recent visit to Kalapara and Galachipa in Patuakhali, and Taltali, Amtali and Pathorghata in Barguna districts, this correspondent found hundreds of fishermen catching fry with current nets and mosquito nets in different areas of the Bay and adjoining rivers including Ramnabad, Nishabaria, Payra, Biskhali, and Boleshwar.

Traders buy per 100 fry for Tk 40 to 50 from fishermen and sell it for Tk 500 to 600 to gher owners, source said.

Alamgir Hossain of Chaplee Bazar area under Kalapara upazila said he collects 200 to 300 fry in a day and sell it to nearby fry traders.

"I do the job as I have no alternative to run my six-member family," he said.

Madrasa student Nazmul, 12, who was seen collecting fry with mosquito nets, said, "I can earn Tk 100 to 200 per day by collecting fry and it helps our family."

Random catching of fish fry will deplete fishes in the Bay and rivers, said Md Lokman Hossain, acting chairman of fisheries department of Patuakhali Science and Technology University.

Bankim Chandra Biswas, Barguna district fisheries officer, said fry collecting from natural water bodies is totally prohibited and they are taking steps against it.

Lt Khalid, an official of the coastguard, said, "In last two months we seized 4.85 crore fry that was being sent to Khulna region. Despite shortage of manpower and vehicles, we are trying our best to save fry from catchers."