37 fishermen held with 3 illegal artisanal trawlers from bay

The Mongla Coast Guard on Wednesday arrested 37 fishermen for fishing with three illegal artisanal trawlers in the Bay of Bengal near Patharghata area of Barguna district.

Senior fisheries officer Mohammad Zahidul Islam, working in Mongla Upazila of Bagerhat, said the fishermen were operating the prohibited trawlers named F.B. Maer Doa-27, Sima-02 and Asma in the area.

The Coast Guard’s patrolling vessel CGS SonarBangla seized the three boats during the illegal fishing activity on Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday afternoon, the detained boats were brought to Mongla Ferry Ghat. 

The Coast Guard handed over the three boats and 37 fishermen to the local police station.

Zahidul Islam added that the large quantity of fish found on the boats will be dealt with according to court instructions.

JU/SH