Joint drive in Chattogram outer anchorage clears illegal nets, 24 jailed
Chattogram Bureau
A joint operation conducted by the Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Navy, and Chittagong Port Authority in the Chattogram outer anchorage area on Wednesday led to the search of over 50 fishing boats, the removal of hazardous illegal fishing nets, and the detention of 24 individuals.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon informed this in a press release on Wednesday noon.
The four-hour joint drive was carried out between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to bolster maritime security and preserve safe navigation around commercial shipping routes and riverine channels.
The operational fleet included the Coast Guard patrol vessel BCGS Sonadia, high-speed tactical boats, and the port authority vessel Dishari-07, operating alongside operational units from the Navy, Coast Guard, and a Chittagong Port Authority Magistrate.
During the drive across the Chattogram outer anchorage and Karnaphuli Channel, teams identified and removed illegally set fishing nets that obstruct commercial vessels and lighterage ships, posing severe risks of maritime accidents and facilitating petty theft on anchored ships.
Following inspections of over 50 fishing boats anchored illegally in restricted waters, authorities detained 24 fishermen. The presiding Port Magistrate subsequently sentenced all 24 detainees to 30 days of imprisonment each.
