SHARIATPUR, Mar 20: Hilsa fry, locally known as jatka, is being caught indiscriminately from Padma and Meghna rivers near Sureshwar and Noapara areas in Naria Upazila, Kachikata, Dularchar, Tarabunia, Gourango Bazaar and Narsinghapur areas in Bhedarganj Upazila, and Charjanajat and Kuchaipotti areas in Gosairhat Upazila of the district.
Bhedarganj Upazila Fisheries Office sources said 650 kg jatka fish were seized, 5 fishermen were fined and 15,000m of current nets were destroyed at different places of the district.
Jitu Miah, former chairman of Charsensus Union Parishad under Bhedarganj Upazila and lessee of Narsinghapur ferry ghat and Shahjahan Dewan, vice-chairman of Gosairhat Upazila Parishad said, "About 500 maunds of jatka are being caught every night from the said spots in Padma and Meghna. These jatka are being sold at different local haats and bazaars of the district in presence of law-enforcing agencies, while the remaining jatka are sent to Dhaka, Barisal and others districts."
It is learnt from some fishermen of Gourango Bazaar that per hali (four pieces) of jatka is being sold at Tk 150 to 200 in the local haats and bazaars. Jatka is being consumed by the people from all walks of life.
While visiting the Padma riverbank areas in Tarabunia, Kachikata, Gourango Bazaar, Dularchar and Chairman Bazaars of Bhedarganj Upazila, this correspondent saw that all the fish selling centres are full of jatka.
Sanjay Das, fisherman of Kuchaipotti under Gosairhat Upazila said, "Fishermen like us were compelled to catch jatka for the sake of existence despite a ban on catching jatka."
Shakil Sarder, Shahjahan Majhi, Idris Miah, Rahim Miah, Ratan Shil, Radha Nikari and Kamol Das- fishermen of Jelepara Village in Gorishar Union of Naria Upazila said, "We are compelled to catch jatka for maintaining our families."
They also said the government's VGF programme is not sufficient for them. They have to stay at home as there is no alternative source of income for maintaining the families properly.
When contacted, Abdus Samad, Bhedarganj Upazila fisheries officer said, "The government has banned catching, transporting and selling jatka from the month of November to June and also catching hilsa from March 1 to April 30, 2018."
Indiscriminate catching of jatka is mainly responsible for decline of hilsa production. But, a section of fishermen are catching jatka violating the ban.
He also said, "The fishermen were cautioned that legal action will be taken against the unscrupulous fishermen who are involved in catching jatka. Mobile courts will remain vigilant during the ban period till June."
