Jatka Conservation Week: Awareness campaign among fishermen adjacent to Padma river markets
Md. Masud Khan, Munshiganj (South)
On the occasion of Jatka Conservation Week, various awareness campaigns are being conducted in Louhajang, a region adjacent to the Padma River in Munshiganj. These initiatives are being led by the Upazila Fisheries Department of Louhajang.
According to Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Rezaul Islam, this year's Jatka Conservation Week began on last Tuesday with the slogan: “If catching jatka stops, the nets will fill with hilsa.” However, some dishonest fishermen are disregarding government rules and illegally catching jatka (young hilsa) from the Padma River. Furthermore, some fish vendors in local markets are aiding this illegal practice by purchasing and selling these jatka, thus encouraging the fishermen.
It is essential to raise awareness among these vendors. If they stop buying jatka, fishermen will have no incentive to catch them, as there will be no place to sell the fish. This would help reduce illegal jatka fishing significantly.
As part of the ongoing campaign, the Louhajang Upazila Fisheries Office has been distributing awareness leaflets to the general public and fish sellers in various markets. Yesterday, campaigns were carried out in the Mali'r Posh, Boultoli, Bormokam, Bejgaon, and Gaodia markets of the upazila.
