10 syndicates active : Hilsa catching goes on unabated in Padma at Dohar point despite ban
Mahbubur Rahman Tipu, Dohar (Dhaka)
Hilsa fishing is going on in the Padma River in Dohar despite the administration's campaign and the ban on catching hilsa. Hilsa caught during the banned period is being sold openly in at least 12 markets along the river. There is also a rush of buyers in these markets as the fish is available at a slightly lower price than usual.
Locals allege that multiple syndicates are active behind the fishing and sale of fish. Due to their influence, the administration is struggling to enforce the ban.
Local residents of the riverbank said that small and medium-sized hilsa are available in abundance in Baghra, Nandalalpur Char area, Muksudpur, Narisha Bazar, Meghula Ghat, Sutarpara-Madhur Char, Mahmudpur, Bilashpur river banks and various markets. Large-sized hilsa are comparatively less available. They also believe that a portion of the large fish is being stockpiled in the hope of selling it at a higher price once the ban is lifted.
Locals also said that hilsa is being sold openly in the market.
The border areas of Dohar include Baghra, Nandalalpur Char area, Muksudpur, Narisha Bazar, Meghula Ghat, Sutarpara-Madhur Char, Mahmudpur, Bilashpur, Moinat Ghat, river banks and various markets in Dohar Upazila.
Madhurchar residents Anis Mia and Rahman Bepari said they saw fishermen selling hilsa openly from their boats on the riverbank. In the market they saw, the price of one kilogram of hilsa was 2,000 taka. Hilsa from 600 to 800 grams was sold at 1,500 taka per kilogram. The price of smaller hilsa was 900 taka per kilogram.
According to them, the prices of these fish are lower than normal. Retailers who buy fish from local markets and sell them in distant markets for a profit of 300 to 500 taka per kilogram. The owners of the ice factories and fishmongers are directly involved in this.
Local administration and inspector of the Kutubpur Naval Police Station, KM Nazrul Islam, said that some local syndicates are involved in the hunting and trading of Hilsa. It is also very difficult to conduct round-the-clock operations with limited manpower in the vast river area. The fishermen enter the small canals as soon as they see government engine-powered boats, making it difficult to arrest them.
In this regard, Abu Bakkar Siddique, OC of Dohar Police Station, said, "We can conduct the operation only if the upazila administration prepares a list of the syndicate's middlemen."
Shirin Sultana Munni, the fisheries officer of Dohar Upazila, said, "There are only three people on staff. The naval police are the only hope."
When asked to know the names of the syndicate's middlemen, he avoided the subject.
However, during the ban, about 200,000 meters of nets have been seized in the operation so far. The seized nets have been destroyed by burning on the river bank on the orders of the mobile court. So far, 20 fishermen have been given prison sentences of various terms, he said.
Dohar Upazila Assistant Commissioner Bhumi and Executive Magistrate Naushina Arif said that they have admitted to illegal fishing and syndicate activities in the river. She said that they have received information that fish is being sold in the markets early in the morning during the Fajr prayer and at night.
Also, it is difficult to conduct operations in the turbulent river in the darkness of the night. Even then, the operation is ongoing. Some of the rescued hilsa have been given to orphanages.
Doha, Dhaka.
