MADHYANAGAR, SUNAMGANJ, July 5: For generations, hundreds of families in a village in Sunamganj's Madhyanagar Upazila have earned their livelihood by making traditional bamboo fish traps known locally as Bair.
But shrinking demand, falling prices and competition from plastic alternatives are threatening the survival of the century-old cottage industry.
Nearly 200 families in Hamidpur Village under Banshikunda South Union are engaged in producing the eco-friendly fishing gear. Men, women and children work together to split bamboo into thin strips before weaving them into traps used for catching different species of fish.
The finished products are sold to wholesalers, who collect them directly from the artisans' homes.
During a recent visit to the village, families were seen busy making the traps from morning until late at night. While men prepare bamboo strips, women weave them together with nylon thread. Students also help their parents after school.
Artisans said they produce three to four varieties of Bair, each designed for catching different types of fish. These include Burchunga for small fish, Kattua for use in haors, Lohari Bair for catching species such as shing, magur and baim, and Gui Bair for larger fish including shoal and gazar.
However, they said the market has shrunk in recent years due to the widespread use of plastic fish traps and destructive fishing gear such as Chinese-made traps and fine-mesh nets.
Artisan Azim Uddin said a bamboo costs between Tk 450 and Tk 600 and can produce 15 to 20 Burchunga traps. Each trap sells for only Tk 50 to Tk 60, leaving little profit after production costs.
"We sell 100 traps wholesale for Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000. The income is barely enough to support our families," he said, adding that the family-based production system helps keep costs down.
Another artisan, Esha Banu, said many families now find it difficult to earn a decent income from the craft because of declining demand.
Sajeda Ahmed, executive chairman of local development organisation Jonashius, said bamboo fish traps are environmentally friendly and have long been part of the haor region's fishing tradition. She urged the government to promote the traditional gear while taking stricter action against environmentally harmful fishing equipment.
Banshikunda South Union Parishad Panel Chairman Amanullah said the government provides training and incentives for cottage industries and that the potential of the sector could be assessed for future support.
Acting Madhyanagar Upazila Fisheries Officer and Tahirpur Upazila Fisheries Officer KM Mahfuzur Rahman said plastic fish traps and Chinese-made gear were harming fish stocks and aquatic biodiversity.
He said the fisheries department would continue its drive against destructive fishing equipment and would recommend measures to support artisans producing environmentally friendly bamboo fish traps.
