Some fishermen in the coastal districts continue to net Hilsa fish defying the 15-day ban by the government on catching of the fish. So far, 199 fishermen have been jailed for violating the restriction of Hilsa fishing that came into effect on September 25. The 15-day ban on netting, sales and transportation of Hilsa across the country till October 9 has been imposed to ensure safe spawning of the popular fish during the peak breeding period.
In Chittagong, a mobile court yesterday sentenced 161 fishermen to 15 days imprisonment each for catching the fish defying the ban. Earlier on the same day, members of Bangladesh Coast Guard (East Zone) detained the fishermen and seized hilsa fish to the tune of 2400 kg during a drive at the outer anchorage of the Chittagong Port.
Earlier on September 30, a mobile court jailed 38 fishermen for 15 days each for catching fish defying the ban. A Coast Guard team detained the fishermen from the Bay for violating the ban. The Coast Guard also seized two fishing trawlers, 5000 metres of net and 600 kg brood hilsha fish during the drive.
Chittagong District Executive Magistrate Tamim Al Yamin, who conducted both the mobile courts, told The Independent that the arrested fishermen hailed from Hatia and Sandwip areas.
“It is the grinding poverty that led them to go for fishing defying the temporary ban. The boat owners and money-lenders compelled the fishermen to net fish without vilating the ban,” he said. The imprisonment would act as a deterrent and the fishermen would feel discouraged to go for fishing as well, he added.
Prof Dr Md Shahadat Hossain, director of Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, Chittagong University said that Bangladesh stands fourth in producing sweet water fish according to the 2014 report of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO),
“Fishing contributes a lot to the country’s economy as Bangladesh is also exporting frozen fish and shrimp. 10-12 lakh people are directly and 25 lakh indirectly involved with fishing in the country,” said Prof Shahadat.
“The money lenders and the boat owners compel the fishermen to net fish illegally. However, we have to remember that temporary ban has been imposed as it is the peak breeding period for Hilsa fish,” said Prabhati Dey, official of District Fisheries Department.
“The decline of Hilsa fish production will naturally shoot the price in the domestic market. The price of dried fish is also linked with the supply of fish in the market,” said Farid Ahmed, general secretary of Asadganj Dried Fish Merchant Association.
“The government should spare a thought for the poor fishermen in the country. In most cases, the poor fishermen are compelled to catch fish defying any ban as they live on a day to day basis,” said Khorshed Alam, President of Samudrik Matsya Shikari Jahaji Sramik Union.
UNB adds: River Police in Chandpur arrested 10 fishermen at Tarabunia point in the Meghna River. Later, a mobile court sentenced them to one year imprisonment each, said district fisheries officer M Shafiqul Islam.  
In Munshiganj, a joint team of the Fisheries Department and police arrested 22 fishermen at different points in the river during a 12-hour drive yesterday. They also seized around 200 kg hilsa and 30,000 metres of current nets during the drive. Later, the arrested were produced before a mobile court which sentenced five of them to one year’s imprisonment and fined the 17 others Tk 5,000 each.
Meanwhile, 19 mobile courts from September 25 to October 1 sentenced and fined 90 fishermen in Sharitpur district.