Illegal fry harvesting threatens Chalan Beel

The monsoon has brought a fresh abundance of indigenous fish to Chalan Beel, Bangladesh's largest wetland ecosystem, following days of heavy rainfall and upstream flooding. Fish catches have increased significantly across the wetland areas of Gurudaspur and Singra in Natore, Tarash in Sirajganj, and Chatmohar and Bhangura in Pabna, revitalizing local fish markets and providing relief to fishing communities.

However, alongside the seasonal boom, concerns are mounting over the widespread use of banned "China duari" nets, which locals say are indiscriminately catching fish fry, egg-bearing fish, crabs, swamp eels, snails, mussels and other aquatic species, posing a serious threat to the wetland's biodiversity. Residents allege that despite the open sale of undersized fish and other aquatic organisms in local markets, enforcement against the illegal practice remains inadequate.

Fishermen said the arrival of fresh monsoon water has increased fish movement through canals, rivers and floodplain connections, resulting in larger catches of indigenous species including tengra, punti, koi, shing, magur, guchi, chanda, shoal and boal.

Visits to major fish markets, including Singra Bus Stand Fish Market, Chachkoir Market in Gurudaspur, Dahia, Bildahar, Satpukuria, Biyash, Jamtali, Tarash, Chatmohar and Bhangura, found hundreds of professional and seasonal fishermen selling fresh catches each morning.

"We are catching much more fish after the arrival of fresh monsoon water," said fisherman Afzal Hossain of Bilsha village. "But fish fry and egg-bearing fish are also getting trapped in the nets, which is worrying for the future."

Several fishermen, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the use of banned China duari nets has increased sharply across the wetland. They alleged that the nets catch fish of all sizes, including fry and spawning fish, many of which are later sold in local markets. They urged the authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.

Although fish supplies have increased, retail prices have remained largely unchanged. Rabiul Karim, a college teacher shopping at Chachkoir Market, said consumers continue to pay previous prices despite higher supplies because of the popularity and taste of fresh monsoon fish.

Market surveys found medium-sized freshwater prawns selling for Tk 800 per kilogram, small guchi fish at Tk 600, medium guchi at Tk 800, tengra at Tk 300 - 400, small punti at Tk 100, medium punti at Tk 200, koi at Tk 200 - 300, chanda at Tk 200, shoal at Tk 400 - 600 and medium-sized boal at Tk 500 - 800 per kilogram.

The increase in supply has also led to the emergence of temporary wholesale fish markets in areas including Kundoil Market and Mannannagar in Tarash, as well as Dahia Bridge, Paril Bridge and Biyash Mabia Mor in Natore. Traders said fish worth several hundred thousand taka is being traded daily before being transported by truck and pickup van to Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Mizanur Rahman Majnu, convener of the Chalan Beel River and Environment Protection Committee, said the seasonal return of indigenous fish is an encouraging sign for the wetland's ecosystem, but warned that unchecked use of banned nets could undermine long-term fish stocks.

"The indiscriminate harvesting of fish fry and spawning fish is putting indigenous fisheries at serious risk," he said. "Regular enforcement drives, strict implementation of the law and greater public awareness are essential to protect Chalan Beel's biodiversity and ensure sustainable fish production."

Local environmentalists also called for coordinated action throughout the monsoon season to eliminate the use of banned fishing nets, prevent the harvesting of fry and breeding fish, and strengthen market surveillance to safeguard the wetland's ecological balance for future generations.

-HIS