Bangladesh and India have coordinated their annual fishing bans according to The Daily Star. Each year the two countries have had a roughly 60-day fishing ban from May to July to ensure the sustainable breeding and conservation of marine fish stocks, particularly hilsa, officials said.
In previous years, however, because the two countries had their fishing bans at different periods, fishers from one country would simply fish the other’s fish during the ban period.
A 58-day ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal will came into effect from midnight April 15 and continue until June 11.
According to the paper, authorities said the change came in response to longstanding demands from fishing communities, who called for synchronization with India’s fishing restrictions to prevent cross-border fishing during Bangladesh’s ban period.
“Our demand was to synchronise the ban with India’s schedule so their trawlers can’t fish while we’re restricted,” said Yasin Majhi, a fisherman from Kalapara. “We’re glad the government listened. But we also want timely distribution of aid, and the amount should be increased.”
Barishal District Fisheries Officer Ripon Kanti Ghosh said his office has already requested Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) support for 2,869 registered fishermen in the district.
