Sajjad Hossain Saju (Faridpur District Representative)
Jatka hilsa is being caught indiscriminately with current nets in the Padma River of Charbhadrasan Upazila of Faridpur. For the past few days, jatka is being caught freely with large gillnets in addition to current nets in the Padma River of the Upazila. With the deteriorating law and order situation in the surrounding upazilas, the Padma River has become a sanctuary for unscrupulous fishermen. Every day from dusk to dawn, hundreds of jatka hunters are roaming the Padma with current nets and trawlers.
In the morning, Jatka hilsa is being sold freely in various markets of the upazila. And the concerned administration is pretending not to see this destruction of the country's fish resources. On Monday, Upazila Executive Officer Monira Khatun said, "I have a new posting. I joined for the first time yesterday. Jatka fishing in the Padma will be stopped soon." On the same day, Upazila Fisheries Officer Naeem Hasan Biplob said, "A campaign will be conducted against Jatka fishing in the Upazila Padma River very soon. We are seeking the help of everyone, including local journalists, to preserve Jatka in the country." On a field visit, it was learned that a large number of Jatka hilsa have appeared in the waters of the Upazila Padma River during the current dry season. Large hilsa are not seen in the Padma, but only Jatka are seen when current nets are thrown. There are about 750 professional fishermen in this upazila. Each of them has been fishing for Jatka Hilsa in the Padma River all night long with a small trawler and a current net. In addition, some of the local fishmongers have brought fishermen from different parts of the country and made big nets and two trawlers with their thick nets. These unscrupulous fishermen have surrounded the Padma River with a few km of nets and then, using two trawlers, 8/10 fishermen have been catching Jatka Hilsa by pulling the nets. Many are also fishing for Jatka in the Padma River as a hobby. On Monday afternoon, when I went to the water body of Diyala Gopalpur Mouza of the Padma River, upazila, I saw that along with professional fishermen, many households from the char areas are catching Jatka Hilsa with current nets. Among them, Ibrahim Bepari (48), a resident of Charjhaukanda Mouza on the Padma River, said, "I have some time between my household chores, so I am enjoying catching Jatka Hilsa in the Padma River with my net and children. Since there has been no campaign against Jatka fishing in the Padma this year, he is also catching Jatka in line with everyone else." Another Jatka fisherman, Nacher Mandal (43), said, "For the past few days, only Jatka Hilsa has been caught when I cast my net in the Padma. No other fish have been caught. So what's the point of catching Jatka if I don't sell it?"
Local sources said that Jatka fishing is being conducted every day from dusk to dawn in the vast water bodies of the Padma River in the upazila's Gopalpur mouza, Char Kalyanpur mouza, Char Kalkinipur, Char Taherpur, Char Mirzapur, Char Salepur, Uttar Salepur, Bhati Salepur, Char Hajiganj mouza, Char Mohanmia, Majhikandi, Char Harirampur, Char Jhaukanda, Char Hossainpur, Zakerer Sura mouza, Tilarchar mouza, Mathabhanga and Char Mainoot char mouza. These seized Jatka Hilsa are sold through the designated dealers of fishermen in various markets. It is known that 60 percent of the fish sold is taken by the fishermen and 40 percent by the dealers who donate money.
Sajjad Hossain Saju
Faridpur District Representative
So: 01760244888
